James has been a Partner and Director at JBA for over five years and is currently CEO of the company. He has an honours degree in Town Planning (1978) from the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology and has a post graduate Diploma in Town Planning Studies (1980) from the same University. He is a corporate member of the Planning Institute of Australia (MPIA), the Royal Town Planning Institute (U.K.) (MRTPI) and is a Certified Practicing Planner (CPP).

With over 25 years of professional planning experience in both consultancy and at the highest levels of a major Metropolitan Council, James has acquired a considerable range and depth of skills in strategic planning, site specific land use planning, statutory planning and master planning. He has a particular interest in promoting innovative planning solutions to traditional land use conflicts, and the management of urban growth and change generally.

Before joining JBA James was the Director of Planning at South Sydney Council for 9 years (1992-2001), and prior to that the Strategic Planning Manager (1988-1992) at Warringah Shire Council. James has been a member of several government committees, including a member of the South Sydney Development Corporation Board, since its inception in December 1996 through to October 2001, the Department of Urban Affairs and Planning (DUAP) Working Party for Affordable Housing (2001) and was a member of the Community Consultative Committee for the Centennial and Moore Park Trust (2001-2005).