Full Name: Christopher Brindley
Position: Sandvik Europe, Middle East & Africa region president as from January 1, 2012
Date of Birth: June 4, 1951
Education: BSc (Hon) Chemical Engineering, University of Salford, UK
First job: Metallurgist at ZCCM Zambia
Career History Prior to Current Position: 38 years in engineering and mining industry with sales/management roles in equipment sales and project management businesses
Size of First Pay Packet: £4 500 a year
First Job with Present Group: Tamrock Africa region president
Number of People under Your Leadership: 3 800
Management Style: Supportive. I agree to objectives and give space for people to succeed
Personal Best Achievement: Making it to 60
Professional Best Achievement: Taking over my current role
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: The Anglo American recruitment team, who convinced me to leave Europe and start a life in Africa in 1973
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Ole Jacobsson, who convinced me to join Sandvik Group in 1994
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Margaret Thatcher
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Steve Jobs
Philosophy of Life: Nothing’s impossible if you have belief
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Joining Sandvik Group in 1994
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not having the opportunity to retire with my wife
Hope for the Future: The world economic crisis gets resolved in the next two years
Favourite Reading: Tom Clancy
Favourite TV Programme: Any sports programme
Favourite Food/Drink: Rib eye and good South African red wine
Favourite Music: Folk rock
Favourite Sport: Golf
Favourite Website: The Times - to keep up to date
Hobbies: Golf, reading, exercise
Car: BMW
Pets: Dogs for 32 years. None at present
Miscellaneous Dislikes: People who don’t keep to commitments
Favourite Other South African Company: Anglo American
Favourite Foreign Company: Apple
Married: Widowed
Children: A son, Matthew
Clubs: Kyalami Country Club