Full name: Andries Johannes van Heerden

Position: CEO, Afrimat, since 2006, when the company was formed

Main activity of the company: Supply of construction materials, such as aggregates, readymix concrete and concrete manufactured products

Date and place of birth: November 14, 1965, Randfontein

Education: Matric, 1983, Hoërskool Riebeeck, Randfontein; BEng (mechanical), 1988, Potchefstroom University; MBA, 2000, University of Stellenbosch

First job: Engineer-in-training, Iscor Mining, 1990

Size of first pay packet: R2 300 a month

First job with present group: Technical director of Prima Quarries, currently an Afrimat subsidiary

Career history prior to current position: Iscor Mining, various positions, 1990 to 1998; APL Cartons, operations manager, 1998 to 2001; Prima Quarries, technical director, MD since 2003, 2001 to 2005; CEO, Lancaster Group, 2005 to 2006 (Lancaster Group and Prima Quarries merged and listed on the JSE as Afrimat.)

Value of assets under your control: R660-million

Number of people under your leadership: 1 400

Management style: Empowering competent people to achieve their potential

Personal best achievement: Not being kicked out by my wife

Professional best achievement: Being instrumental in the formation and listing of Afrimat

Person who has had the biggest influence on your life: My wife and my brother

Person who has had the biggest influence on your career: Laurie Korsten and Matie von Wielligh

Person you would most like to meet: Unfortunately, it is not possible any more, but I would have loved to meet the Dr Anton Rupert

Businessperson who has impressed you most: Brian Gilbertson

Philosophy of life: Psalms 127

Biggest ever opportunity: Forming Afrimat and having the opportunity to lead this magnificent team

Biggest ever disappointment: The first attempt to form Afrimat failed

Hope for the future: That we can progress beyond racial politics and find a common vision to become a leading nation

Favourite reading: Biographies of successful people

Favourite TV programme: I honestly don’t know

Favourite food/drink: A well-prepared fillet/good red wine

Favourite music: Depends on my mood – classical music to rock

Favourite sport: Rugby

Favourite website: Google

Hobbies: Water skiing with my family

Car: Mercedes-Benz CLK 500

Pets: Golden Retriever dog

Miscellaneous dislikes: Dishonesty, arrogance, negativity, chaos

Favourite other South African company: SABMiller

Favourite foreign company: BHP Billiton

Married: Maryke Wattel, January 14, 1989

Children: Andre, 15; Liezl, 13; Anja, 8

Clubs: None