James has 25 years of experience in the construction, project, and development management of infrastructure, urban renewal, commercial and industrial projects. James is also experienced in the running of project management businesses and in providing business and property development advisory services.
Following completion of his Bachelor of Civil Engineering at QUT, James commenced his career as Site Engineer with Leighton Contractors. From 1985 to 1988 he worked to deliver the Gateway Arterial Road, Goonyella Coal Mine major excavation and the Hinze Dam spillway and bridge on the Gold Coast.
In 1988 James moved to Melbourne as senior engineer with Lend Lease for the 53-storey Bourke Place commercial office project, quickly assuming the role of site manager. Returning to Brisbane in late 1990 with Lend Lease he took on site management roles for the refurbishment of the Sheraton (now Sofitel) Hotel and the Canegrowers Building in Edward Street.
During 1992-1995 he undertook project management roles working on Southbank Parklands, the Brisbane Exhibition & Convention Centre and the new Brisbane International Airport Terminal. The latter project was with Lend Lease (Civil & Civic) from which James was promoted through a variety of roles in Australia, Hong Kong and China, spanning 15 years with the company. In 1995, James became the Development Manager for the acquisition and masterplanning of the 163 hectare residential project at Twin Waters.
In mid-1996 James relocated to China as Operations (and subsequently General) Manager to establish the Lend Lease business presence in Hong Kong and China, leading its expansion from 3 to over 125 staff, located primarily in Shanghai, by late 2000.
Returning to Australia with Lend Lease in late 2000, James became the project and development manager for infrastructure and urban design of Lend Lease Development’s $3 billion Victoria Harbour project at Melbourne Docklands.
In 2004, he left Bovis Lend Lease to return to Brisbane and provide project and business advisory to Parmalat Limited (South Brisbane sites), Mater Medical Research Institute (Cancer Centre) and Investa/Suncorp (Brisbane Square project) as a sole proprietor.
In 2007, James joined Brookfield Multiplex as Project Director for the proposed redevelopment of the North Bank project, valued at $1.7b. The North Bank project involved detailed and extensive negotiation with many state government departments and the Brisbane City Council, as well as political representation. The project did not proceed due to public concern with the government’s original proposition to build in the Brisbane River.
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