James grew up on the family farm beginning his working career in Merchant Banking in Melbourne before moving back to Tasmania to take over management of the family farm.
In 2004 he began an association with Rural Bank as a District Banking Manager working for the Elder group in Tasmania with a roving role covering most of the state. In 2011 he moved from Elders to Bendigo Bank taking up a role as a Business Banking Manager but specialising in Agribusiness. James has a good working knowledge of wool, cattle poppies and vegetables.