Full Name: Nicolas Rolland

Position: Director of G7 Renewable Energies

Main Activity of the Company: G7 Renewable Energies develops large-scale wind farm projects in South Africa for the generation of green electricity

Date and Place of Birth: December 7, 1972, Lyon, France

Education: I studied mechanical engineering (fluid dynamics) in Germany and also obtained an MBA at EM-Lyon, in France

First Job: Sales engineer in Germany

Career History Prior to Current Position: I spent 12 years in sales, engineering and the project management of international large-scale turnkey industrial projects, ranging from food processing to the eventual installation and operation of a wind farm in South Africa

Size of First Pay Packet: Equivalent to R16 000 a month

First Job with Present Group: Director and shareholder

Value of Assets under Your Control: Potentially, very large, but currently nearly R30-million, spread between intellectual property and significant project development costs

Number of People under Your Leadership: Six permanent employees for the next two years; thereafter, we plan to increase capacity

Management Style: Transparent, direct and performance driven

Personal Best Achievement: Sailing experience – from mini Trans-Atlantic to number one at the Prada Cup and other races

Professional Best Achievement: Recognising a market shift with corresponding business opportunities in the wind industry and successfully founding G7 Renewable Energies

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My uncle, a successful and accomplished entrepreneur

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: A self-starter and former manager who shared his insights and mentored me on my first steps negotiating large projects

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Nelson Mandela

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Richard Branson

Philosophy of Life: Honour commitments, work hard and protect freedom

Biggest Ever Opportunity: My current position

Biggest Ever Disappointment: My first attempt at starting my own business

Hope for the Future: The continued development of the South African wind energy industry and the creation of jobs in the process

Favourite Reading: The Economist

Favourite TV Programme: I have never owned a TV set

Favourite Food/Drink: Home food with a Côte-du-Rhône

Favourite Music: Jazz

Favourite Sport: Sailing

Favourite Website: Google

Hobbies: Surfing and the outdoors

Car: VW

Pets: None

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Incompetence and dishonesty

Favourite Other South African Company: Spier

Favourite Foreign Company: Virgin

Married: To Zandile

Children: Hopefully, soon

Clubs: Not stated