James Pearson is the Canberra-based chief executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and previously held roles with Shell, Chevron and peak industry groups in Perth. Prior to taking the ACCI role in April 2016, he led Shell's communications and government relations team in Australia. Prior to that, Mr Pearson was chief executive of CCIWA for five and a half years and also worked as a director of petroleum industry group APPEA.
Mr Pearson became chief executive of the City of Joondalup in March 2021.
Earlier in his career, he worked as a diplomat, and government trade and investment negotiator, representing Australia in Africa, the Pacific and China.
Mr Pearson is also an adjunct Professor at Deakin University Business School, and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
