Melbourne Office & Partners

Rob, along with business partner, Darren Smith commenced Balmain’s Victorian operations in October 1997 with the opening of an office in the CBD. In October 2000, Jason Arnold joined Rob and Darren as their first graduate analyst.

Rob has over 25 years banking and finance experience in a variety of areas with the past 15 years in commercial property and construction finance.

Rob, along with his business partners, Darren Smith and Jason Arnold, manage one of Balmain’s largest loan portfolios and are very well supported by a team of innovative analysts.

Rob’s interests outside business and family, includes travelling; wines, dining with friends; running and bike riding (occasional triathlon) and when possible the odd game of golf.

Darren and co-director, Robert Taylor, opened Balmain Commercial’s Victorian Office in 1997.  

This followed a 13 year career in commercial finance with Westpac and Bank Of Scotland Group. Darren now has in excess of 24 years in commercial finance specialising in all elements of commercial property/construction and structured finance.

Darren, along with his business partners, Robert Taylor and Jason Arnold, manage one of Balmain Commercial’s largest loan portfolios and are very well supported by a team of innovative finance analysts.

John has been actively involved in the banking and finance industry for almost 15 years. He spent 5 years as a relationship manager at Westpac and then as a senior relationship manager with the NAB’s major client group where he was responsible for managing existing client relationships and generating new business.

Working with Balmain has provided John with the ability to offer clients the “whole market” and all it’s components i.e. senior, mezzanine and equity offerings.

John is married with 3 children. He enjoys going to gym, sailing and spending time with his family and friends.

Audrey has been in the financial services industry for over 15 years. She commenced her career as an account manager in corporate banking with Macquarie Bank, and later joined Challenge Bank where she was senior manager in charge of commercial banking in Melbourne.

Following the merger of Challenge Bank and Westpac, Audrey was segment head of business banking for Westpac Victoria for several years, before moving on to become director of structured investments with Westpac Institutional Bank.

Audrey was educated at the Ivey Business School, University of Western Ontario, Canada. She holds an Honours Degree in Business Administration, majoring in Corporate Finance. Through Westpac's sponsorship, she has also completed the executive development programme (strategic and general management) at Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania, USA.

Audrey joined Balmain as a partner in 2004. She offers her clients innovative finance solutions, drawing on her extensive deal structuring experience, product knowledge and contacts in the industry. She provides her clients with continuity of account management as well as independent financial advice.

In her spare time, Audrey enjoys interior design and decoration. She is interested in investment management, particularly in property and equity markets.

Orsino began his career in finance in 1990. He has worked for National Australia Bank, Bank of Melbourne and Westpac Banking Corporation in the areas of consumer banking and business banking.

Orsino holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and Legal Studies and a Graduate Diploma in Economics and Accounting.

Orsino joined Balmain as a partner in 2004. He offers experienced advice and innovative solutions in structured finance. He and his direct assistant Amy Leong are happy to provide any assistance to your finance needs.

Eddie joined Balmain in 2002 and became a director in 2006.

After nearly 15 years in commercial finance with the Commonwealth Bank, along with consulting work for an accounting firm he has gained significant experience in all aspect of business and commercial finance.

Now with over 20 + years experience specialising in commercial property / construction and structured finance Eddie provides his clients with a wealth of experience, product and market knowledge accompanied with personal service.

Eddie is supported in the office by Jason Kerr who also has a strong banking and finance background.

Jason joined Balmain in the year 2000 as a graduate trainee analyst while still completing his Bachelor of Business at Monash University. Jason already had a wealth of experience in retailing and customer service and was a keen and competitive sportsman.

Being energetic and highly motivated Jason is a natural for commercial property finance and was in 2006 invited to partnership level with foundation Melbourne office owners Robert Taylor and Darren Smith.

With a wealth of experience, Jason is able to easily identify and structure a go forward commercial property deal to ensure it meets all the financial requirements of borrower and lender.
 
Jason, along with his business partners, Robert Taylor and Darren Smith, manage one of Balmain’s largest loan portfolios and are very well supported by a team of innovative analysts.

Paul has been with Balmain since August 2004 after 6 years with ANZ Bank and GE Commercial.  Paul also recently became a Balmain partner in April 2008.

Paul specialises in all types of funding and has extensive experience with residential and commercial construction and retirement village funding along with structured finance, mezzanine and preferential equity debt structures.

Matthew is a highly experienced banking and finance professional who possesses a diverse range of finance and people skills acquired over the past 35 years in the Australian finance industry. During his career he has achieved impressive results in the retail, commercial and management administration sectors of banking in Australia.

He has worked closely with leading debt providers over the last 15 years to structure financial solutions to large and small companies, property trusts and property professionals to ensure their finance needs have been met in the most efficient manner.

Matthew chose to leave the banking sector to establish his own banking and finance consultancy business with a select group of large commercial clients, specialised in providing services to the property development/syndication market, hotel and aged care sectors.

Matthew is a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia and holds a Diploma in Accounting.