James Ajaka was the first employee of nudie juice, starting in 2003.
In 2009 James went on to lead the nudie company to become the number one juice company in Australia. James then successfully sold the business to Filipino group Monde Nissin in 2015.
In 2015, James then joined forces with private equity firm Pacific Equity Partners and led Allied Pinnacle, Australia’s largest flour milling and frozen bakery goods business. In the four years that James was there, profit grew three fold and the business was successfully sold to Japanese flour milling group Nisshin Foods for close to $1.5bn.
Since 2020, working with private equity firm Quadrant, James is now greatly enjoying leading one of the most iconic and fastest growing home-grown companies Darrell Lea and Life Savers confectionery.
This business has doubled revenue to over $500m since 2020 and has strong market positions across Australia, New Zealand and the USA.
James is also an early stage investor and the current Chairman of the My Muscle Chef business.
James has a Bachelor of Business from the Australian Catholic University and an MBA at the AGSM.
Above all, James’ real claim to fame is being a proud husband and dad to four beautiful daughters.
