AREEA chief executive and Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) board member, Steve Knott, congratulates experienced business advocate and current Shell Australia executive James Pearson on his appointment as CEO of ACCI.

“James Pearson is an outstanding appointee chosen from a large field of high quality candidates,” Mr Knott says.

“James brings to his new role a strong track record as a proven, effective advocate for the Australian business community, as chief executive of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Western Australia (CCIWA) between 2008 and 2013, and a former board director of ACCI.

“He has extensive national and international experience in policy and advocacy as a diplomat in federal and state government, and in senior executive roles with some of the world’s preeminent global companies including Shell Australia and Chevron Australia.

“His international experience makes him well placed to add to ACCI’s considerable track record of global business leadership through the International Labour Organisation (ILO), International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and in business advocacy to the OECD.

“Resource employers and other trade-exposed industries will especially welcome James’ experience in international markets, and understanding what it takes to attract job-creating investment to Australia.

“He is eminently qualified to lead the nation’s peak business representative body at a time when our economy is transitioning, our labour markets and skills are evolving, and there are both significant challenges and great opportunities across all business sectors.

“AREEA, as Australia’s national resource industry employer group and a member of the ACCI network, welcomes James’ appointment and congratulates him on securing the role.”

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