Full name: Jacques Duyver

Position: Founder, owner and CEO of Itec Group, since 1992

Main activity of the company: Imaging technologies, multifunctional products, copiers, faxes, printers and various document management software

Date and place of birth: October 3, 1963 – Cape Town

Education: Germiston High School, matriculated, 1981; University of Stellenbosch, aeronautical engineering second year

First job: Salesperson in the document solutions industry, 1993

Size of first pay packet: R900 a month

First job with present group: Founder and CEO – 1992 to 1998 as an importer and distributor of copiers, 1998 awarded rights to import into South Africa from what is today known as the Konica Minolta Group in Japan

Value of assets under your control: Approximately R750-million

Number of people under your leadership: About 700

Management style: Entrepreneurial, open door

Personal best achievement: The satisfaction and appreciation derived from the creation of 700 value-adding job opportunities and experiencing the dedication and enthusiasm of these people.

Professional best achievement: Securing the Southern African distribution rights to import product from the Konica Minolta Group in Japan

Person who has had the biggest influence on your life: Prof. Gerrie Roodt, chairman of the Itec Group, who has been my mentor, not only in the business but also in my personal life.

Person who has had the biggest influence on your career: Phillip Perkins as partner and COO of Itec, and Prof. Gerrie Roodt.

Person you would most like to meet: Bill Gates, Richard Branson, Johan Rupert and Nelson Mandela

Businessperson who has impressed you most: Richard Branson

Philosophy of life: To be idle is a short road to death and to be diligent is a way of life – foolish people are idle; wise people are diligent

Biggest ever opportunity: Being able to live the life of a successful entrepreneur

Biggest ever disappointment: The slow pace of developing entrepreneurship in South Africa

Hope for the future: Mobilising the full potential of each and every individual South African in a vibrant, stable and truly democratic country

Favourite reading: A variety of subjects from aeronautics to genetics, history, the environment and spirituality

Favourite TV programme: Documentaries and news, BBC, Discovery, National Geographic and History Channel

Favourite food and drink: Eastern cuisine, such as Thai, Indian, Malay and Japanese, and Belgian chocolate and beer

Favourite music: Popular music of the day

Favourite sport: Skiing and tennis

Favourite website: www.itecgroup.co.za

Hobbies: Skiing, tennis, hiking, nature, bush, hunting, planes, fast cars, riding my Harley, watches, beautiful houses, travel and socialising

Car: Mercedes-Benz SLK, Land Rover & Harley Davidson

Miscellaneous dislikes: Cheap talk

Favourite other South African company: The Rupert business empire

Favourite foreign company: Boeing, Airbus, Microsoft and the Virgin Group

Married: Single

Children: Chantal, 19

Clubs: Member of various informal shared-interest groups