James Baillieu | |
---|---|
Born | 1968 (age 55–56) |
Nationality | Australian |
Alma mater | Melbourne Grammar School University of Melbourne |
Occupation | Activist investor |
Relatives | Ted Baillieu William Baillieu |
Family | Baillieu |
James Baillieu (born 1968) is an Australian activist investor and writer.
Baillieu was born in 1968 to parents Ian Baillieu, an Australian lawyer, and the art gallery owner Marianne.[1] He is the nephew of former Premier Ted Baillieu and journalist, activist Kate Baillieu and also Olympian Will Baillieu.[2]
Baillieu was educated at Melbourne Grammar School. He graduated from the University of Melbourne where he received a BA and LLB (First Class Honours).[3]
Baillieu practiced law at Mallesons Stephen Jacques in the early 1990s. He then joined management consultants McKinsey & Co for seven years until 2001.[4]
He then became an early investor and senior vice president of Aconex which was acquired by Oracle for A$1.6 billion in December 2017.[5]
From November 2017 to February 2019, Baillieu was chairman of ASX-listed BidEnergy and also its largest shareholder. BidEnergy was the top performing stock on the ASX in 2018.[6][7] However, the Board removed Baillieu as chairman, causing him to sell his shares and initiate a legal action that was settled out of court. [8]
Baillieu has been a protagonist in a number of high profile business conflicts. He is described by the Australian Financial Review as "seriously combative”.[9][10] He is described by The Age as "the Baillieu family's chief spear thrower".[11] He is described by The Australian as taking a stand as an activist investor who “targets the good fight.” [3]
Baillieu is an author for Crikey and The Spectator.[12][13]
Baillieu lives in Melbourne and is married to Josephine.[14][15] His son Atlas was the Australian Junior Chess Champion.[16]
In December 2011, Baillieu and his wife hosted Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark and Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark as guests for a week in a secret visit to their Mornington Peninsula home.[17]