Full Name: Mark Janse van Vuuren

Position: MD of Jasco ICT Solutions

Main Activity of the Company: The Jasco group is a provider of end-to-end converged solutions across three interlinked sectors: information and communication technology, industry and energy

Date and Place of Birth: December 1, 1966, Port Elizabeth

Education: National diploma in cost management accounting, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits); MBA, Milpark Business School/Thames Valley

First Job: Costing clerk at Toyota South Africa

Career History Prior to Current Position: Divisional MD of Jasco Carrier Solutions; founder and MD of Maringo Communications; COO: sub-Saharan Africa, Nokia Siemens Networks; and divisional MD: fixed networks, Siemens Telecommunications

Size of First Pay Packet: R1 200 a month

First Job with Present Group: Divisional MD, Jasco Carrier Solutions

Value of Assets under Your Control: Annual business volume of R850-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: 450

Management Style: Consultative, team-orientated and performance-driven

Personal Best Achievement: Obtaining an MBA, and my family

Professional Best Achievement: The many small achievements in my career thus far

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My parents, children and family

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: A host of good bosses/managers that I have worked for

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Larry Page and Sergey Brin

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Steve Jobs and Adrian Gore

Philosophy of Life: Always see the glass half-full rather than half-empty

Biggest Ever Opportunity: The various opportunities for growth that I have had throughout my career thus far

Biggest Ever Disappointment: I have experienced no major disappointments

Hope for the Future: That South Africa becomes a truly successful global competitor – but corruption must be eradicated first – and that my children reach their full potential

Favourite Reading: Autobiographies

Favourite TV Programme: Sports channels

Favourite Food/Drink: Seafood with a good draft beer

Favourite Music: Eric Clapton, U2, Katy Perry, Bee Gees, Michael Bublé and Andrea Bocelli, besides others

Favourite Sport: Rugby and cricket

Favourite Website: www.techcentral.co.za

Hobbies: Fishing, playing cricket with my son, watching Super 15 rugby, going to the theatre and spending time with my family

Car: Jeep Grand Cherokee

Pets: Two dogs, one cat and two birds (an African Grey and a cockatoo)

Miscellaneous Dislikes: People who lack integrity

Favourite Other South African Company: Kulula – for the funky way it interacts with its customers

Favourite Foreign Company: Apple – for its innovation

Married: Divorced

Children: Alan, 24; Ethan, 8