Full Name: Gerard Pretorius

Position and Company Name: GM: Air Pollution Control Business Unit at John Thompson, a division of Actom

Main Activity of the Company: Providing solutions for clients with air pollution control challenges, with the solutions provided ranging from spare parts and engineering surveys to turnkey projects

Date and Place of Birth: February 24, 1972, Pretoria

Schools and Tertiary Education: Matric, Hoërskool Wesvalia, in Klerksdorp; chemical engineering, University of Pretoria

First Job: Chemical engineer for Benco Plant and Engineering

Size of First Pay Packet: R5 000 a month

Career Path to Date: Benco Plant and Engineering, EcoSource, Environmental Control and Engineering, and John Thompson Air Pollution Control

Number of People under Your Leadership: 25

Management Style: A mixture between consultative, participative and collaborative management, depending on the situation

Personal Best Achievement: I have a few, but completing the Comrades Marathon is probably the top one

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My wife Beulah

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: David Crosthwaite

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Simon Sinek, an English-born American author and inspirational speaker on business leadership

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Warren Buffett

Philosophy of Life: In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Not stated

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not stated

Hope For the Future: That all South Africans work together to create a better, safer and prosperous South Africa

Favourite Reading: Who Moved My Cheese, by Dr Spencer Johnson

Favourite TV Programme: Any kind of sport

Favourite Food/Drink: Braaivleis and Shiraz red wine

Favourite Music: A large variety. If I have to choose one, I will say modern classical instrumental

Favourite Sport: Rugby

Hobbies: Training German Shepherd dogs

Car: Nissan X-Trail

Pets: A German Shepherd, Vida

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Dishonesty, complacency, and non-accountability

Married: To Beulah

Clubs: German Shepherd Club