James Kirby
Australian Financial Journalist, Keynote Speaker & MC
James Kirby is one of Australia’s leading financial journalists and commentators, known for making business, economics, and investment accessible to every audience. He brings deep expertise, practical insights, and engaging storytelling to conferences, corporate events, and media appearances.
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James Kirby is one of Australia’s leading financial journalists, commentators, and broadcasters, renowned for his ability to make business, economics, and investment accessible to diverse audiences. With a warm, engaging style often described as “Irish charm,” he has addressed audiences ranging from caravan park owners and librarians to CFOs and rural development associations, and is equally in demand as an MC and conference facilitator.
James is Wealth Editor at The Australian, where he produces the paper’s wealth section, writes a weekly column for The Weekend Australian, and presents a weekly video. He is a regular on ABC’s News Breakfast, appears on radio including ABC 774 Victoria with Raf Epstein, and co-presents the podcast The Money Cafe with Alan Kohler.
A former managing editor and co-founder of Business Spectator and Eureka Report, James also worked at the Australian Financial Review and South China Morning Post. He was co-founder and managing editor of the AIBM Group, which launched Eureka Report, Business Spectator, and other titles before its sale to News Corporation in 2012. He also serves as chairman of Well Made Clothes, an online publishing and retail company.
James is the author of numerous business books, including biographies of Richard Pratt and Gerry Harvey, the Australian edition of Investment for Dummies, My Mother’s Diamonds, and the best-selling Business Secrets series profiling Australia’s leading entrepreneurs. He has served on the Walkley Awards Advisory Board and is a qualified securities adviser in Australia.
James combines in-depth professional commentary with hands-on business experience, providing presentations that blend sharp economic analysis with practical solutions, actionable insights, and relevant takeaways. His “outlook” sessions are celebrated for connecting with every audience member—whether investor, manager, retiree, or casual observer—while enlivening conferences with energy, clarity, and expertise.
Topics
- Australian and global economies
- Australian financial services sector
- What economic development opportunities there are in Australia
- The sustainability of the Australian housing market
- Optimising opportunities in superannuation and SMSF’s
