Full Name: Keith Sidney Russon

Position: CEO of the Stirling group of companies and family trust

Main Activity of the Company: Manufacturing of commercial and motor vehicle parts and accessories

Date and Place of Birth: August 4, 1953, Durban

Education: BSc (Hons), University of Natal; diploma in design, Durban Technikon; BVSc (four-and-a-half years – incomplete), Ondersterpoort

Career History Prior to Current Position: I was a lecturer at George Campbell Technikon before working at Stirling Accessories’ Durban plant, Stirling Accessories’ Africa operation (in Zimbabwe), the Clouds End thoroughbred stud farm (in Zimbabwe), Backworth (in South Africa) and Stirling Accessories’ Durban plant

Size of First Pay Packet: R300 a month

First Job with Present Group: I worked on the assembly line

Value of Assets under Your Control: R110-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: 80

Management Style: Empowering and enabling

Personal Best Achievement: Breeding a GR1 winning racehorse – Chocolicious

Professional Best Achievement: Re-energising and restrategising the 60-year-old family business that my father started

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

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Me

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: The Queen of England

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Nick Bindell

Philosophy of Life: Deal with life head-on

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being able to pursue my personal passions

Biggest Ever Disappointment: The ones you do not learn from

Hope for the Future: That we eradicate all forms of corruption in South Africa

Favourite Reading: Biographies and nonfiction

Favourite TV Programme: History and documentaries

Favourite Food/Drink: Roast chicken/J&B whisky

Favourite Music: I have diverse interests – I choose the music to play based on my mood

Favourite Sport: Horse racing

Favourite Website: Sporting Post, Gridform

Hobbies: Collecting antiques, breeding thoroughbreds, reading, cooking and travelling

Car: Rolls-Royce

Pets: Scottie dogs

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Miscommunication – in any form

Favourite Other South African Company: Ardmore, a local grassroots company that has managed to internationally brand a highly aesthetic product, while upskilling and involving communities in production, with a strong social commitment of profit

Favourite Foreign Company: Apple

Clubs: Gold Circle, KZN Breeders, Bookclub