Ben Chesters

Prior to joining Ankura, Ben accumulated 20 years of turnaround and restructuring experience, including eight years at a global consulting firm, as well as over 11 years at a Big Four accounting firm, most recently as a partner.

Ben began his career as an associate at an independent financial advisory and restructuring advisory firm in Australia and was later seconded to a senior manager role in the strategic business services and credit practice at a large national bank in Australia.

Ben’s notable experience includes:

• Served as an advisor to one of the largest private for-profit healthcare networks in the U.S. with over 30 hospitals, working closely with the management team to manage liquidity and operational issues.
• Served as CRO for a medical technology company with operations in Australia and the U.S., which was funded by the Department of Defense and the Department of Health and Human Services to build a large facility and enhance critical stockpiles to support the U.S. government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Led the assessment and implementation of revenue enhancement initiatives for a biotechnology group providing bioanalytical and toxicology services for a global client base, including the establishment of a dynamic quoting model and cost reporting structures.
• Served as lead advisor for an international quantum computing company, working closely with the management team and its key stakeholders, including private equity firms, academics, and governments, to secure funding for a $1 billion investment to support the creation of the world’s first useful quantum computer.
• Served as an advisor to a major private equity fund as full-fledged lenders in the highly complex and litigious oil and gas case. Led the development and execution of a plan that enabled the private equity fund to convert its $500 million loan to a controlling equity position in the reorganized company on emergence from bankruptcy.
• Led the assessment and implementation of liquidity reporting structures for a $3 billion specialty hydrocarbon producer, advised on performance improvement strategies, and restructuring alternatives for the lending group.
• Led an assessment of a global packaging company and acted as a pivotal leader for the company and a major private equity fund, managed communications to the lender group on its behalf during its forbearance period, and developed a new business plan and liquidity forecast based on executable improvements.
• Led the implementation of transformative initiatives for a $1 billion aerospace and defense company, including the establishment of sales, inventory, and operations planning as well as inventory management processes, resulting in $80 million of net cash benefit.