James Pearson

James held senior roles in the public and private sectors before being appointed as chief executive of CCI in 2008. As a diplomat and government trade negotiator, project advisor and policy director he represented the Australian government in Africa, the Pacific and China and helped Australian companies win markets overseas and develop projects at home and abroad. James represented the petroleum industry in WA and the Northern Territory; led the industry's national productivity improvement program; and was responsible for advocacy, workforce communications and corporate social responsibility for a global oil and gas corporation in Australia, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines. James has an MBA from Victoria's Deakin University and an Honours Degree in Science from the University of Western Australia.