James Huey

James operates as an independent non-executive company director, and as a Board-level consultant in the areas of:

• Business in China, including investment into (or out of) China, and import/export trade;

• Strategic corporate advice at Board/CEO level;

• High-level strategic assignments, reviews, and projects, where there is a need for an independent approach, confidentiality and discretion, and where a wealth of broad industry, cross-functional and cross-cultural experience can be worthwhile. (includes advice on mergers, acquisitions, and divestments, due diligence, liaison with counter-parties and other advisers, etc)

James is a financial services industry specialist having over 30 years employment directly in retail, commercial, corporate and international banking, and with the past fifteen years operating at Board level in other financial services businesses (specifically in securitisation, corporate finance, investment banking, and payment services). That experience has given him considerable exposure to the dynamics and value drivers in, and governance of, an eclectic range of other businesses.

In China, through his boutique advisory firm, China Westbridge Advisory Services, he provides strategic consulting and investment banking services to Chinese businesses, using his wide range of personal connections, and affiliated management consulting and specialist advisory firms. The flip-side of this is that he also provides advice and discreet "on the ground" services for western companies seeking to establish relationships, or to target investments or acquisitions, in China. He is comfortable with the nuances of the Chinese business environment, and is culturally sensitive, building rapport easily with Chinese counter-parties.

James has an outstanding record of commercial experience, dominantly in the financial services industry. For over 30 years he carried out a variety of functional roles in Australia and offshore, for the Westpac Banking Corporation group. His ultimate full-time role at Westpac was as General Manager for New South Wales, leading a business with over 10,000 employees and $19 billion in assets. Prior to that he was the foundation Executive Director of Westpac Training Services Pty Ltd, and before that, the General Manager of the Pacific Islands Division, based in Suva, Fiji.

His experience covers a wide variety of functional areas, including strategic level general management, human resources management, finance/accounting, the management of technology and systems development, delivery of financial services, credit and lending. His mix of high level executive experience, comprehensive skills, discreet style, and an incisive approach, provides an ability to add value across a broad range of industries.

He is a Director of Resimac Limited, OzzyConnect Limited, and several private companies. He recently relinquished Board positions at Paymate Pty Ltd (an internet payment service operating in the USA and Australia) and e-Pay Asia Limited (a mobile phone and stored value card transaction provider, based in Malaysia), in order to focus on business opportunities in China.

He has a broad network of cooperative relationships with other advisers, consultants, and service providers, in Australia, China, and the South West Pacific. He is a Board Member of the Australia China Business Council, and the Australia Vietnam Business Council, and an ordinary member of the China-Australia Chamber of Commerce in Beijing, China, and the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia.

James lives in Beijing, China, some 80% of the time. The 20% balance is spent either in Sydney, Australia, or travelling on business within the region.

Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors
Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management
Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (U.K.)
Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators
Fellow of the Institute of Public Accountants (Australia)
Chartered Member of the Australian Human Resources Institute
Associate of the Institute of Management Consultants
Trustee of the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA)
Member Australian Chamber of Commerce in China, Beijing (AustCham)
Member of Executive Committee, NSW Branch, Australia China Business Council
Member American Chamber of Commerce in Australia (AmCham)