Full Name: Beyers Nel

Position and Company Name: CEO of Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited since January 1, 2025

Main Activity of the Company: Gold and copper mining

Date and Place of Birth: June 2, 1977, Polokwane, Limpopo

Education: BEng: Mining Engineering, University of Pretoria, 2000; Management Development Programme, Vaal University of Technology, 2004; Certificated Programme in Business Leadership Development, Wits Business School, 2005; MBA (Cum Laude), Wits Business School, with international exchange to the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business (Booth), US, 2009; Mergers and Acquisitions, London Business School, 2023

First Job: Mining graduate programme – my first job was as a general underground worker at Vaal Reefs

Size of First Pay Packet: R12 500 a month

Career Path to Date: A linear progression of roles within the gold mining industry, culminating in my current role as Group CEO, effective January 1, 2025

Value of Assets under Your Control: About R110-billion

Number of People under Your Leadership: 46 000

Management Style: Visionary and transformational

Personal Best Achievement: Appointment as CEO of Harmony and leading the turnaround of Harmony’s South African operations as COO from 2016, delivering nine consecutive years of exceeding annual production market guidance, as well as improving Harmony’s health, safety and sustainability as part of a team of leaders

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My wife, Dr Helena Nel, who is the mother of our two wonderful daughters

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Peter Steenkamp

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Elon Musk, Warren Buffett and Barrack Obama

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Dr Patrice Motsepe

Philosophy of Life: My leadership philosophy is grounded in values and ethical decision-making, with a belief in the power of people and the impact of positive thinking. I live by the outlook “always seems impossible until it is done”, as Nelson Mandela once said

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Leading 46 000 valuable people and ensuring that we are successful together

Biggest Ever Disappointment: A mine incident resulting in the loss of life

Hope for the Future: A better and inclusive future for all. Good leaders inspire optimism, build trust, foster respect and create hope; this is my focus and leadership imperative today to help build that better future

Favourite Reading: Leadership and self-development books, as well as business books

Favourite TV Programme: Documentaries and sport

Favourite Food/Drink: Italian cuisine and wine

Favourite Music: Rock and country

Favourite Sport: Rugby and cricket

Hobbies: Rare-game breeding, renovation/restoration/architectural projects, Crossfit and fishing

Car: Toyota Land Cruiser

Pets: Two Schnauzers and a cat

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Negativity, disorganisation and naysayers

Married: Dr Helena Nel

Clubs: None