Full Name: Grant Edward Neser

Position: MD of Jo Jo Tanks

Main Activity of the Company: Marketing, production, sales and distribution of roto-moulded PE tanks, containers and technology-specific industrial products

Date and Place of Birth: Pretoria, May 1, 1963

Education: MEng (civil), University of Stellenbosch; BCom, University of South Africa

First Job: Assistant district harbour engineer, Port of Durban

Career History Prior to Current Position: I started as a bursar at Transnet and worked in the construction industry before joining the Industrial Development Corporation and then SA Block and later Alpha/AfriSam, where I worked for 18 years. I spent most of my career in operations in the Aggregate and Readymix business but also in sales and marketing. I held the positions of COO: Aggregate and Readymix, and sales and marketing executive

Size of First Pay Packet: Not Sure – but it did not go very far!

First Job with Present Group: MD

Value of Assets under Your Control: R572-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: Between 380 and 400

Management Style: Open-door and consultative, but I will adapt to the situation as required. I pursue operational excellence in the ‘here and now’, but focus most of my energy on crafting a future

Personal Best Achievement: Being part of a happy and healthy family, and being a good friend and a successful mentor to various colleagues along the way

Professional Best Achievement: I have had several career highlights but no specific achievement that I would single out

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

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Various entrepreneurs who have inspired me

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Muhammad Ali, Ernie Els or Thuli Madonsela

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Brand Pretorius and Phuthuma Nhleko

Philosophy of Life: Commitment to the truth and treating people fairly and with respect – always, admire excellence in all its forms

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being made head of the AfriSam Aggregate and Readmix business unit in January 2003, just as the world economic supercycle started

Biggest Ever Disappointment: A major capital project that ran very badly and a particularly harrowing workplace accident – both took place on my watch

Hope for the Future: That South Africa gets to benefit from quality, principled political leadership

Favourite Reading: Scientific or sociopolitical nonfiction, understanding the present by analysing the past

Favourite TV Programme: Modern Family, Billions, Blue Bloods and sport

Favourite Food/Drink: Red meat paired with a good red wine. Also enjoy craft beer after exercising

Favourite Music: I listen to almost anything, but if I had to pick a favourite genre, it would be folk rock

Favourite Sport: Mountain-biking and golf (as a participant) and rugby and soccer (as a spectator)

Favourite Website: Wikipedia – just so useful

Hobbies: Watching TV, reading, exercise, writing

Car: Audi A4 Allroad

Pets: None

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Bigotry and arrogance, being oversold to – it is a trigger for me

Favourite Other South African Company: RMB

Favourite Foreign Company: Google and Apple

Married: To Debbie, since February 27, 1997

Children: Joshua, 18; Jade, 15

Clubs: Country Club Johannesburg, Virgin Active