Anton Leal
Full Name: Anton Leal
Position: CEO of XLink Communications
Main Activity of the Company: XLink Communications is a telecoms solutions business providing services in the machine-to-machine connectivity market segment, which specialises in linking point-of-sale devices and ATMs to banks’ back-end systems
Date and Place of Birth: September 14, 1960, Johannesburg
Education: Matric, St Johns College; BCom, University of the Witwatersrand
First Job: Salesperson for Spartan Computers, 1981
Career History Prior to Current Position: I held various jobs and positions and later became CEO at Spartan Computers and Spartan Computer Rentals
Size of First Pay Packet: R800 a month, in 1981
First Job with Present Group: XLink was a new start-up, where I was salesperson, accountant and effectively MD (within a small initial team of five people)
Value of Assets under Your Control: R400-million
Number of People under Your Leadership: 130
Management Style: Creating a positive environment where each of the divisional leaders can be ‘the CEO’ of their respective area, with a creative, well-aligned progressive rewards systems – all this within a culture of organised enthusiasm
Personal Best Achievement: Having a loving, supportive wife and family
Professional Best Achievement: Being a top-five finalist in the 2014 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award programme. Other industry awards which XLink won last year include the Deloitte Best Company to Work for Award in the Telecommunications Industry category and the Frost & Sullivan M2M Technology Leadership Award
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father, who gave me the confidence to be a fun-loving entrepreneur
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My older brother, Chris Leal, whom I worked for in the early days at Spartan Computers
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Robin Sharma
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Richard Branson
Philosophy of Life: The more you give, the more you get. I create positive encouragement wherever I go and I live life to the full
Biggest Ever Opportunity: The current XLink business and the opportunities, going forward, in the Internet of Things marketplace
Biggest Ever Disappointment: A failed asset-tracking business which was an unsuccessful 12-month venture in 2002. However, it provided a very valuable business lesson
Hope for the Future: That South Africa’s political leaders strive to give the country the leadership it deserves and stimulate and encourage entrepreneurs
Favourite Reading: While on holiday, I read thriller novels and over weekends popular car, golf and travel magazines
Favourite TV Programme: The sport channels on DStv and the occasional box office movie
Favourite Food/Drink: Italian food/fine wine
Favourite Music: David Foster-type compilations, soft rock and mellow beats
Favourite Sport: Golf, closely followed by cycling, tennis and fly-fishing
Favourite Website: My Internet banking site
Hobbies: Cooking, playing the piano, travel and sports cars
Car: Porsche
Pets: Skip, a sprightly Jack Russell
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Bullies and people who do not stick to their agreed commitments or folk with unnecessarily big egos
Favourite Other South African Company: Woolworths
Favourite Foreign Company: Google
Married: To Louise, since February 12, 1988
Children: Martin, 23; Chloe, 20
Clubs: The River Club Golf Course and Southbroom Golf Course
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