Full Name: Ran Neu-Ner

Position: Group co-CEO of The Creative Counsel

Main Activity of the Company: Marketing communication and advertising

Date and Place of Birth: August 27, 1975

Education: BCom, CFA

First Job: Pushed trolleys at Pick n Pay for a tip when I was 11 years old

Career History Prior to Current Position: Several businesses, being a stockbroker for four months, one insolvent business and one business sold for north of a R1-billion

Size of First Pay Packet: R6 500 a month in 1999 when I was a stockbroker; that was my first and last formal job

First Job with Present Group: Cofounder and group co-CEO

Value of Assets under Your Control: Turnover of R1-billion

Number of People under Your Leadership: 1 000 permanent staff

Management Style: I started as a young, hungry autocrat, but quickly learnt the value of empathy and surrounding myself with smarter people than I am
Personal Best Achievement: Passing at school

Professional Best Achievement: 2016 EY Southern Africa World Entrepreneur Award – exceptional entrepreneur

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

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

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Jose Mourinho

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Dinesh Patel, CEO of OrderIn South Africa

Philosophy of Life: My investment company is called Shits and Giggles because, if you are not having fun doing what you do, then why do it?

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Founding The Creative Counsel

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Losing good people in the company

Hope for the Future: That we invest in and nurture entrepreneurs

Favourite Reading: Short, snackable content

Favourite TV Programme: Suits

Favourite Food/Drink: My grandmother’s baklava

Favourite Music: Anything goes

Favourite Sport: Football

Favourite Website: Not stated

Hobbies: Flying, boating and Bitcoin trading

Car: Range Rover

Pets: Koi fish

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Stupidity and entitlement – worse when combined

Favourite Other South African Company: OrderIn

Favourite Foreign Company: Amazon

Married: To Dani, since March 1, 2015

Children: Benji – he is one-year-and-a-bit old

Clubs: Young Presidents Organisation, Entrepreneurs’ Organisation