Full Name: Paul Martin Deppe
Position: MD of Hall Longmore
Main Activity of the Company: Manufacture and supply of large-bore welded and coated steel pipe
Date and Place of Birth: April 29, 1964
Education: University of the Witwatersrand, BSc (mechanical engineering), 1985; Gordon Institute of Business Science, University of Pretoria, MBA, 2010
First Job: Lyttelton Engineering Works
Career History Prior to Current Position: I received a bursary from Armscor, so, after completing my studies in 1985, I joined Lyttelton Engineering Works as an engineer-in-training. After developing a keen interest in production and sales, I joined Barlows Equipment Manufacturing in 1994 and, in 1998, at the age of 34, I was appointed MD of Barloworld Energy Products. I joined Concor as a director and MD of Concor Technicrete in 2003 and, in 2010, became MD of Hall Longmore, a subsidiary of Murray & Roberts
Size of First Pay Packet: R1 480 a month
First Job with Present Group: MD of Concor Technicrete
Value of Assets under Your Control: R300-million
Number of People under Your Leadership: 700-plus
Management Style: Participative and engaging
Personal Best Achievement: Completing my MBA
Professional Best Achievement: Leading Concor Technicrete to record profits in 2007
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My family
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Henri van der Walt (former MD of Barlows Equipment Manufacturing)
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Nelson Mandela
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Sir Richard Branson
Philosophy of Life: Live out your dreams and follow your passion – everything happens for a reason
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Joining Concor in 2003
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not succeeding in a management buy-out of Concor in 2006
Hope for the Future: That South Africa becomes a nonracial, prosperous, stable and safe country with opportunities for all
Favourite Reading: Nonfiction and autobiographies
Favourite TV Programme: Sport
Favourite Food/Drink: Sushi
Favourite Music: All
Favourite Sport: Rugby and Formula 1
Favourite Website: None
Hobbies: Gardening, outdoors, 4 × 4, enduro motorcycling, squash and cycling
Car: Mitsubishi Pajero
Pets: German Shepherd dogs
Miscellaneous Dislikes: People who do not obey the rules of the road and littering
Favourite Other South African company: Barloworld
Favourite Foreign Company: Apple
Married: To Annette since February 28, 1988
Children: Candace, 22; Jared, 18
Clubs: Virgin Active