Can you tell us about yourself and your background?
My career has always centred on helping businesses grow through property, finance and risk management. While studying at the University of Queensland, I completed a cadetship with a national property development and construction company, which provided valuable hands-on industry experience alongside my studies.
After graduating, I joined big four consulting firm KPMG in its risk and major projects advisory team. During my time there, I worked with some of Australia’s largest companies on infrastructure projects, developing a strong foundation in risk management and financial analysis. At the same time, I completed my chartered accountant qualification.
Following this, I returned back to property finance, where I spent more than seven years at CBA working with developers, investors and property businesses.
How did you come to be part of the Pallas Capital team?
Joining Pallas Capital was a combination of timing and opportunity. I saw private credit as a natural next step in my career and a chance to apply my experience across property and finance in a fast-paced and entrepreneurial environment.
After meeting Jason Arnold and learning more about Pallas Capital’s vision for Queensland, I spent time getting to know the Brisbane team and the business more closely. The strength of the team, their depth of expertise and solutions-focused approach to lending stood out immediately, and made it clear that Pallas Capital was the right fit.
What does a typical workday look like for you at Pallas Capital?
One of the things I enjoy most about my role is the variety. A typical day may involve meeting with developers, brokers and other property professionals, assessing new opportunities, visiting sites or working closely with our credit and origination teams to structure funding solutions. At its core, my role is about understanding clients’ objectives and working collaboratively to deliver practical and timely outcomes. The pace of the business and the diversity of transactions make every day both challenging and rewarding.
What has been your highlight at Pallas Capital so far?
The strong, entrepreneurial team culture has been a standout. From day one, it was evident I was joining an engaged, high-performing team with deep experience across various segments of the property market. The team’s ability to draw on this expertise and work together to deliver strong outcomes for our borrowers, has quickly reinforced that joining Pallas Capital was the right decision.
What are some of your proudest achievements or milestones during your time at Pallas Capital?
One of the biggest achievements at Pallas Capital has been supporting a first-time developer in securing her first townhouse development site. From the initial discussions through to delivering the funding solution, it was incredibly rewarding to help her take that first step into development. What has been even more satisfying is seeing that relationship continue as the project progresses. Building long-term relationships and helping clients achieve their goals is one of the most rewarding aspects of the role.
Looking ahead, what are your professional goals and aspirations within Pallas Capital? How do you see yourself contributing to the company’s future success?
My focus is on continuing to build strong relationships across the Queensland property market and further strengthening Pallas Capital’s presence as a trusted funding partner.
I’m particularly excited by the opportunities emerging across South East Queensland and the role Pallas Capital can play in supporting developers, investors and business owners through the next phase of growth.
By continuing to provide responsive funding solutions and building strong industry relationships, I hope to contribute to both our clients’ success and the continued growth of the business.
If you would like to speak with James, email him at james.blinco@pallascapital.com.au