Full Name: Gary Neubert

Position: Divisional CEO, Eqstra Industrial Equipment

Main Activity of the Company: Industrial and materials handling equipment

Date and Place of Birth: November 5, Port Elizabeth

Education: National diploma (mechanical engineering), Port Elizabeth Technikon, 1989; MBA, Bond University

First Job: Trainee engineer at Volkswagen South Africa

Career History Prior to Current Position: Assistant GM, Barons Bellville

Size of First Pay Packet: R750 a month

First Job with Present Group: GM, Western Cape

Value of Assets under Your Control: R4.1-billion

Number of People under Your Leadership: 1 600

Management Style: Participative, open-door

Personal Best Achievement: Playing for the SA Technikon cricket team

Professional Best Achievement: Growing our business to where it is today

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

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Peter Searle

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Barack Obama

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: The late Bill Lynch

Philosophy of Life: What you put in is what you get out

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Current position

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Being overlooked for promotion after being promised the position

Hope for the Future: I am optimistic

Favourite Reading: Autobiographies

Favourite TV Programme: Sport

Favourite Food/Drink: Japanese food

Favourite Music: Classical

Favourite Sport: Golf

Hobbies: Golf, mountain biking, hiking, travelling

Pets: Two labradors

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Dishonesty

Favourite Other South African Company: Eqstra

Favourite Foreign Company: Toyota Industries Corporation

Married: To Sian, for 20 years

Children: Jonathan, 14

Clubs: Pretoria Country Club