About Kevin James
Kevin James, raised in a middle-class home in South Africa where both parents worked full time, developed a strong work ethic early on. His entrepreneurial spirit emerged at age 10, selling popcorn and lollies at school. Later, he ran a tuckshop from his boarding school dormitory and offered haircuts to fellow students. During holidays, his interest in construction grew, and he earned extra income by helping with home improvements and washing cars for family and friends.
After completing school and mandatory military service, Kevin trained as a chef and took on various jobs, including bartending, waiting tables, and managing a Laser Tag franchise. In 1995, he began travelling internationally, working as a stage carpenter in South Korea and on construction sites across the UK. To fund his travels, he also took on odd jobs such as being a farmhand, nightclub bouncer, and night security guard. Along the way, he studied British Airways Fares & Ticketing in London, not to become a travel agent, but to make his globe-trotting more affordable.
In 2002, after eight years abroad, Kevin returned to his home country South Africa, qualified as a Construction Project Manager, and founded Kevin James Construction the following year. Specialising in high-end residential projects, his business thrived for 16 years, known for attention to detail, creative solutions, and client-focused service, relying entirely on word-of-mouth referrals. He also ventured briefly into commercial construction before deciding his passion lay in residential work. During this period, he completed a mini-MBA at Henley Business School, finishing second in his class.
By 2016, Kevin expanded his career into property development, managing projects and overseeing the construction of several high-end apartment complexes. He co-founded CQS Development Group in South Africa in 2017 and expanded the business to Australia the following year. In 2019, he and his family relocated to Sydney. During the pandemic, Kevin pursued further education in property development and completed one-on-one mentorships with several prominent property developers. He later began hosting Sydney’s largest Property Developer Network meetup and worked as a Buyer’s Agent. Currently, Kevin is developing two high-end residential projects in Sydney and mentors aspiring developers.
Kevin and his wife, Astrid, are deeply family-oriented. They spend quality time with their daughters, whether volunteering at school, serving as a team manager of their daughter’s local AFL, taking on the role of Coordinator and voice for girls on behalf of St Ives AFL girls, or enjoying Sydney’s outdoor lifestyle. A passionate scuba diver, Kevin has advanced through most diving certifications, eventually becoming a master scuba diver and dive instructor. It was through this shared passion for diving that he met his wife, Astrid, who is also a dive instructor.