Full Name: Charles Edward Walters

Position: CEO, Bearing Man Group (BMG)

Main Activity of the Company: Distribution of engineering components and provision of technical solutions

Date and Place of Birth: February 27, 1968, Johannesburg

Education: BSc (mechanical engineering) (cum laude), University of Cape Town, 1989; BCom (with a distinction in business economics), University of South Africa, 1992; PMD, Harvard Business School, 2001

First Job: Graduate engineer, De Beers Consolidated Mines, 1991 to 1992

Career History Prior to Current Position: Management trainee, Anglo American Corporation, 1993 to 1994; executive assistant to chairperson of Anglo American Industrial Corporation, 1995 to 1996; sales and marketing manager, Mondi, 1997 to 2001; MD, Mondi Sales International, 2002 to 2005 (based in Dublin, Ireland)

Size of First Pay Packet: R3 500 a month

First Job with Present Group:CEO

Value of Assets under Your Control: R1-billion

Number of people under your leadership: 1800

Management Style: Firm, fair, empowering

Personal Best Achievement: Graduating cum laude at the University of Cape Town

Professional Best Achievement: Being appointed CEO of BMG at 38

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My parents, Kevin and Sheila, initially, and then my wife, Hayley

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: The late Leslie Boyd – I am indebted to him for his sage career and business advice

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Warren Buffett

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Leslie Boyd

Philosophy of Life: You can achieve anything you set your mind to; you create your own luck

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Leading the start-up of a $500-million sales/trading company for Mondi in Dublin, Ireland

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Losing my father at 28

Hope for the Future: That South Africa becomes the crime-free paradise it has the potential to be

Favourite Teading: The Financial Times, the Economist

Favourite TV Programme: CNN, sports channels

Favourite Food/Drink:Steak/a good red wine

Favourite music: 80s

Favourite sport:Golf (6/8 handicap)

Favourite Website: www.ft.com

Hobbies: Golf, international travel, spending time with family

Car: BMW 335i convertible

Pets: Two Jack Russells, one rabbit

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Insincerity, people who promise but don't deliver

Favourite Other South African Company: Investec

Favourite Foreign Company: Anglo American

Married: Hayley Murphy, November 28, 1998

Children: Janet, 4½; Claire, 3

Clubs: Country Club Johannesburg