James Baillieu

James Baillieu (born 1968) is an Australian activist investor and writer.

Early life and education
Baillieu was born in 1968 to parents Ian Baillieu, an Australian lawyer, and the art gallery owner Marianne. He is the nephew of former Premier Ted Baillieu and journalist, activist Kate Baillieu and also Olympian Will Baillieu.

Baillieu was educated at Melbourne Grammar School. He graduated from the University of Melbourne where he received a BA and LLB (First Class Honours).

Career
Baillieu practiced law at Mallesons Stephen Jacques in the early 1990s. He then joined management consultants McKinsey & Co for seven years until 2001.

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.

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. However, the Board removed Baillieu as chairman, causing him to sell his shares and initiate a legal action that was settled out of court.

Baillieu has been a protagonist in a number of high profile business conflicts. He is described by the Australian Financial Review as "seriously combative”. He is described by The Age as "the Baillieu family's chief spear thrower". He is described by The Australian as taking a stand as an activist investor who “targets the good fight.”

Baillieu is an author for Crikey and The Spectator.

Personal life
Baillieu lives in Melbourne and is married to Josephine. His son Atlas was the Australian Junior Chess Champion.

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.