After many years working under large finance and lending franchises, we found a noticeable gap in the customer experience between what a bank relationship manager can offer, and what a professional broker can offer.

For those who have a bank manager that cultivates a personalized relationship, the experience of acquiring finance can seem simple. However, without industry knowledge and the time it requires to research a multitude of options, can you be assured there are no better options available?

Dealing with most brokers has the advantage of access to a multitude of products with a variety of lenders. However, brokers usually operate on a high-volume basis, lots of smaller loans for many clients each month. We feel this model lacks the beneficial experience of having a relationship with a professional dedicated to your ongoing financial wellbeing. Therefore, we developed our business model to operate with a smaller number of chosen clients.

We offer a boutique element, dealing with professionals that dedicate themselves to individual clients, offering them a personalized financial relationship perusing individualized goals tailored to individual circumstances. This gap in the market planted a seed which led to the creation of Lion iQ. Providing you with the best of both worlds is where our dynamic team shine.

The philosophy behind the name Lion iQ is drawn from the representation of the Lion caring for its pride with strength, stability, and determination. In addition, we feel iQ is essential as we protect those in our care by using intelligence, careful thought, consideration, and knowledge.

MEET THE TEAM

Damian James
Principle/Company Director/Senior Broker Lending Specialist

M: 0413 209 144
E: damian@lioniq.com.au
P: 08 9443 1777

Damian has been working as a mortgage and finance broker for over 30 years. Starting his career in Sydney before moving to Perth over 15 years ago. His level of experience and knowledge is hard to match, knowledge and experience is what really counts when dealing with your finances. Damian has worked across many financial disciplines, from relatively simple first home buyers, investors, and refinances to highly complex business facilities, development, and construction transactions.

Damian takes the time to understand your individual situation and requirements whilst working with you. He believes in the importance of explaining in detail what your options are, including discussing what the various lender positions and appetites are. He will work with you to find solutions that improve your overall financial position. This can be as simple as negotiating and implementing lower interest rates on your borrowings or using his years of experience and expertise to come up with clever ideas on restructuring your facilities to achieve overall better terms and outcomes. It is extremely rare to find a situation that Damian cannot improve on for his clients.

Damian has won many awards over his extensive career in the industry. In addition, Damian has experience running both small and large teams of mortgage and finance brokers. He is extremely proud that many brokers he has trained have gone on to win their own individual awards.

Whatever your situation is it makes sense to speak to Damian to see what he can achieve for you. All conversations are confidential and obligation free*, so you have nothing to lose.

Mellissa Stanhope
Analysist/Senior Broker Lending Specialist

M: 0432 225 187
E: mellissa@lioniq.com.au
P: 08 9443 1777

“Supporting clients is incredibly rewarding and I am personally invested in getting the best outcome. Whether purchasing your first home or restructuring complex business lending, you can rest assured that we will find the best solution to suit your needs and your future plans. The lending process can feel overwhelming, and I enjoy creating a clear path forward for clients.”

Professional experience

With over 20 years of experience in the finance industry, Mellissa is a highly experienced lending specialist based in Perth. She has extensive knowledge in structuring finance solutions for both individuals and businesses, helping them access capital and manage their debt effectively.

Mellissa is known for her tailored approach, collaborating closely with clients, their accountants and financial advisers, to understand their unique circumstances and goals. She provides insights and knowledge of lending solutions to ensure the most suitable structure is sought and that it is cohesive to all areas of their financial plan.

Outside of work, Mellissa enjoys living the hills life with her family, creating memories in the outdoors and sharing her knowledge of horsemanship with her children.

Qualifications and memberships

  • Diploma of Finance and Mortgage Broking Management
  • Certificate IV Finance and Mortgage Broking
  • Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia Member

Coney Borla
PA to Mellissa Stanhope & Damian James

E: coney@lioniq.com.au
P: +61 862 564 458

Coney holds a degree in Business Administration, majoring in Management Accounting, and has over 10 years of experience in the financing industry. Her career has spanned accounting, marketing, customer service, and executive support, giving her a strong understanding of both the technical and human side of finance.

She began her career in accounting, handling record-keeping and data entry, and later managed agricultural financing accounts for rice and corn farmers. These experiences allowed her to work closely with clients from diverse backgrounds, building trust, adaptability, and strong communication skills. She then progressed into an Executive Assistant role, supporting senior management and developing confidence, decision-making, and leadership abilities.

Her next role as a Marketing Associate involved managing client relationships and assisting BPO agents and local corporate clients with salary and personal loans. This experience deepened her understanding of client needs and prepared her to support international clients, laying the foundation for her transition into mortgage broking.

Today, as a broker support/assistant, she finds the role both challenging and rewarding, particularly in learning lender policies, understanding different home loan scenarios, and supporting clients throughout their journey. Client satisfaction and clear, genuine support remain at the heart of her work, as she takes pride in helping clients achieve successful home loan outcomes.

She balances her work supporting brokers with family life, drawing on the patience, resilience, and dedication shaped by motherhood to provide reliable and attentive service to clients.

*We are generally remunerated by commissions paid by the 60+ lenders on our panel hence normally we do not charge any service fees to you. If we do need to charge you any fees for our credit advise services, you will be presented upfront with a formal quote requiring your agreement prior to any fees being incurred.

Get in touch with us today!