Rob and business partner, Darren Smith commenced Balmain’s Victorian operations in October 1997. Rob has over 33 years banking and finance experience in a variety of areas. His focus since joining Balmain has been on investment property and construction debt procurement and mezzanine debt origination for commercial property investors and property developers. 

Rob’s interests outside business and family, includes travelling; wines, dining with friends; running and bike riding (occasional triathlon – completed Busselton Ironman 2010).

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 30 years in commercial finance specialising in all elements of commercial property/construction and structured finance. 

Darren and Rob have been business partners since 1997 and continue to manage one of Balmain largest loan portfolios and are very well supported by a team of innovative finance analysts. 

Outside of the Balmain family Darren is kept very busy with his wife and 2 children (both heavily involved in competition swimming – therefore late morning sleep-ins are never an option) and has been involved in Triathlon for much of the past decade and has recently participated and successfully completed 2 Ironman events. Snow skiing, water skiing and watching the Magpies are sports that are also enjoyed.

John has been actively involved in the banking and finance industry for more than 20 years. He spent early 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 and growing existing client relationships. 

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. 

He has put together some of Melbourne’s most complex takeout and construction facilities. 

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

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 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 23+ years experience in commercial lending, including business, commercial property / construction and structured finance Eddie provides his clients with a wealth of experience, product and market knowledge accompanied with personal service.

Jarrod joined Balmain in 2005 in an Analyst role after completing post graduate studies in Corporate Finance. He has successfully worked his way up the Balmain corporate ladder and was invited to become a Partner in 2012.

Jarrod has an excellent market and product knowledge and is experienced in structuring funding solutions for all types of commercial lending including; construction, investment, residual stock, mezzanine and equity.

Outside of the office, Jarrod is an enthusiastic cricketer, traveller, amateur chef and runner.

Audrey is an experienced banker in Property, Corporate, SME and Asian markets, with expertise in deal structures, sales execution, credit risk management and team leadership.

Audrey started her finance career at Macquarie Bank where she trained as an analyst/account manager in Corporate Banking. Audrey then spent a decade in sales roles at Westpac where she led various teams in SME, Commercial and Institutional Bank focused on client relationship management and deal execution.

In 2004, Audrey joined Balmain Group as a partner where she built a successful Debt Advisory practice over 8 years focussed on finding optimal solutions for her Property clients. In 2012, Audrey was approached by the Commonwealth Bank to lead their Corporate Banking business in Melbourne, a role she held for more than 5 years and over which time, her team achieved outstanding growth in the mid- market Corporate sector and in particular in Property.

Being of Asian background and speaking 3 Chinese dialects as well as Bahasa Malaysia, it was only natural that Audrey would become a strong advocate for Asian Banking and in October 2017, she was recognised by the community for her contribution to Australia Asia Engagement in Finance.

In 2018, Audrey returned to her Debt Advisory practice at Balmain, recognising the opportunity to assist Property clients achieve their goals in an ever-changing market. Drawing on her deep finance experience, Audrey will provide her clients with options and ideas, facilitating the broadest access to both bank and non-bank funding solutions, including Balmain’s proprietary funds.

Audrey holds an honours degree in Business Administration majoring in Corporate Finance from the Ivey Business School (University of Western Ontario, Canada), and has also completed the Executive Development Program at Wharton Business School (University of Pennsylvania, USA).

Central to Audrey’s success is her commitment to excellence, personal passion for property and a genuine interest in her clients and their business.

Outside of Balmain, Audrey enjoys property design and decoration, investment markets, eating out, cooking for friends and family and spending time with her dogs.