A Chartered Accountant by profession, James was a partner in both the Melbourne and Hong Kong offices of an international accounting firm, now part of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. He has also previously held the positions of Managing Director, Funds Management and Insurance at the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited, Chief Executive Officer of the then named Norwich Union Australia, and a Director of the prominent funds management companies Paladin Australia, Portfolio Partners and Victorian Funds Management Corporation. James is formerly the Chairman of the Victorian Transport Accident Commission and the Victorian WorkCover Authority and continues on both Boards of Management as a Director.

James is currently Chairman of Mirvac Group (since 2005) and a director of Bravura Solutions Limited (since 2006) and Melco Crown Entertainment Limited (appointed April 2008). James has previously been a director of Circadian Technologies Limited (2002 to 2008), James Fielding Holdings Limited (2001 to2005), Medaire Inc. (2004 to 2005), Strategic Pooled Development Limited (2005 to 2007) and Zenyth Therapeutics Limited (2005 to 2006).