New additions expected to drive origination and broker partnerships
Pallas Capital has announced the appointment of two senior executives to its lending business, naming Joseph John “JJ” Mills as director of origination in Sydney, and Portia Ridley as senior business development and aggregator partnerships manager in Melbourne.
The appointments are part of the lender’s strategy to enhance its service to brokers and borrowers in the mid-market sector. Both Mills and Ridley bring significant experience in origination and broker engagement to the firm.
“We’re thrilled to welcome JJ and Portia to the team,” said Jason Arnold, head of origination at Pallas Capital. “JJ’s experience in structuring complex transactions and guiding origination strategy, combined with Portia’s strong broker relationships and aggregator expertise, will enhance our ability to serve the market with a truly client-focused approach.”
Mills (pictured top left) joins Pallas Capital from YSC Partners, where he worked as investment director, overseeing mid-market property deals across Australia’s eastern states. His background also includes senior positions at NAB in property and infrastructure finance. At Pallas Capital, Mills will lead the Sydney origination team and focus on building relationships with brokers and borrowers.
“Pallas Capital has a reputation for delivering tailored funding solutions with speed and precision,” Mills said. “I look forward to growing our lending capability in Sydney, supporting brokers with responsive deal execution, and helping clients unlock new opportunities in the property market.”
Ridley (pictured top right) brings over a decade of financial services experience, most recently at ORDE Financial, where she contributed to the launch of a full product suite across residential, commercial, SMSF and development finance. She began her career at La Trobe Financial, working in various roles with a focus on broker relationships. At Pallas Capital, Ridley will be responsible for developing aggregator partnerships and increasing broker engagement nationally.
“The aggregator channel plays a vital role in connecting brokers and borrowers with tailored lending solutions,” Ridley said. “I’m excited to help strengthen our presence in this space and make it easier for brokers to match clients with the right funding – faster.”
Pallas Capital, which originated $2.9 billion in new loans and investments in the 2025 financial year,, specialises in structured debt products and investment management, providing finance for commercial and residential assets as well as development projects. Since its inception, the firm has arranged over 1,080 transactions worth more than $9.3 billion, with a current investment book of approximately $3.3 billion across more than 300 loans and other investments.
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