Full Name: Schalk Marthinus Venter

Position: CEO of African Oxygen (Afrox)

Main Activity of the Company: Industrial gases and welding technologies

Date and Place of Birth: September 14, 1966, Johannesburg

Education: National higher diploma (analytical chemistry), Tshwane University of Technology; PMD (business administration), University of Cape Town; board leadership certificate, Gordon Institute of Business Science; AMP, Insead

First Job: Process chemist on the nuclear enrichment line at the nuclear enrichment facility at Valindaba

Career History Prior to Current Position: I joined Chemserve Systems in 1991 as a junior sales representative and went on to serve as MD of a number of group subsidiaries before being promoted to chemical services executive and joining the board in 2006. Thereafter, I was appointed chairperson of a number of group subsidiaries, including Nulandis, Resinkem, Duco Speciality Coatings and Chemfit. In 2010, I was promoted to executive for AECI and, in 2012, to MD of AECI’s biggest subsidiary, AEL Mining Services

Size of First Pay Packet: R550 a month

First Job with Present Group: CEO

Value of Assets under Your Control: Market capitalisation of R6.8-billion-plus

Number of People under Your Leadership: 2 336 permanent employees across sub-Saharan Africa

Management Style: Participative, firm

Personal Best Achievement: Appointment as MD of Chemserve Systems at the age of 31

Professional Best Achievement: Being appointed CEO of Afrox

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

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Mark Dytor

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Plato

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Lex van Vught

Philosophy of Life: A man without a vision for his future always returns to his past

Hope for the Future: That South Africa realises its potential

Favourite Reading: Biographies, business, sport

Favourite Music: 60s, 70s and 80s rock

Favourite Sport: Rugby and cricket

Favourite Website: Google

Hobbies: Taking a ride on my motorbike on weekends

Car: Range Rover

Pets: A greyhound called Midnight

Favourite Other South African Company: Naspers

Favourite Foreign Company: General Electric

Married: To Amanda, for 25 years

Children: Ruben, 20

Clubs: Virgin Active