Full Name: Chad Richard Andrews

Position: MD of Lapp Southern Africa

Main Activity of the Company: Marketing, selling and distributing specialised cables for the low-voltage industry

Date and Place of Birth: September 22, 1967, Nelspruit Mpumalanga

Education and Qualifications: MSc, Da Vinci Institute for Technology Management, 2011; Management Development Programme, University of Cape Town, 2004; aircraft electrician’s course, 1990; N4/N5/N6, including electronics, mathematics, logic science and computer principles,1989

First Job: Aircraft electronics technician, Atlas Aircraft

Career History Prior to Current Position: GM: sales and marketing, Crabtree

Size of First Pay Packet: R850 a month

First Job with Present Group: MD

Value of Assets under Your Control: About R10-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: 27

Management Style: Participative (democratic), with the primary objective being to build commitment and consensus among employees – if they listen!

Personal Best Achievement: Completing a master’s degree while working full-time as the sales and marketing director of Aberdare

Professional Best Achievement: Graduating with a master’s degree in Innovation, technology and people management

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

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Harry Coetzee

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Richard Branson

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Warren Buffett

Philosophy of Life: Working towards being self-actualised

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Appointment as MD of a global company

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not being a shareholder of Major Tech

Hope for the Future: That we all become sensible and develop a strong sense of ownership of the world, so that we may appreciate it

Favourite Reading: Wilbur Smith novels and the latest business trends

Favourite TV Programme: Blue Bloods

Favourite Food/Drink: Sushi/Johnny Black whisky

Favourite Music: Bon Jovi, Dire Straits

Favourite Sport: Golf

Favourite Website: None

Hobbies: Hiking, cooking and mountain biking

Car: Toyota Fortuner

Pets: Dogs – Boston, a terrier, and a pavement special

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Fingernails on an old chalkboard

Favourite Other South African Company: Crabtree

Favourite Foreign Company: Virgin

Married: To Heidi, since March 18, 2000

Children: Wade, 13; Derryn, 11

Clubs: Benoni Lake Club – I have been a member of this golf club for 30 years