Full Name: Romano Daniels

Position: MD of Bridgestone South Africa Retail

Main Activity of the Company: Providing a one-stop service to motorists through the retail chains of Supa Quick, Speedy's and Autoquip for the fitment of tyres and other aftermarket components

Date and Place of Birth: I was born in Port Elizabeth

Education: Diploma marketing and sales, national higher diploma (tertiary educator), BCom (industrial psychology), honours degree (industrial psychology)

First Job: Salesperson with Firestone in 1989

Career History Prior to Current Position: I was a salesperson until 1996, when he was appointed factory training manager at the Brits manufacturing plant. After Bridgestone acquired Firestone in 1997, I was appointed GM: group training and development in 2002, GM of human resources in 2003 and GM of group public Relations in 2006, with the concurrent portfolio of GM: marketing being added in 2008

Size of First Pay Packet: R900 a month, in 1989

First Job with Present Group: Salesperson, in 1989

Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated

Number of People under Your Leadership: 23 directly and, indirectly (at franchisees) 253 at Supa Quick, 73 at Speedy's 73 and nine at Autoquip

Management Style: I would like to classify it as progressive

Personal Best Achievement: Finding my own way in Johannesburg with no support system at all

Professional Best Achievement: Selling to rural areas during a time after the Rubicon Speech and 1994

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: Three close friends that have shaped my views on life

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: A number of people I have met along the way and whose best qualities I have used to shape my own development

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Barrack Obama

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Brand Pretorius

Philosophy of Life: I can only be as good as I can be if it is through others

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being appointed MD to Bridgetone South Africa Retail

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Being retrenched and unemployed for six months

Hope for the Future: A South Africa that my children can prosper in

Favourite Reading: Autobiographies

Favourite TV Programme: Grey's Anatomy

Favourite Food/Drink: Pasta/red wine

Favourite Music: Classical Genre

Favourite Sport: Cricket

Favourite Website: Internet banking

Hobbies: Do-it-yourself activities

Car: BMW

Pets: A dog

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Judging people before you get to know them

Favourite Other South African Company: Standard Bank

Favourite Foreign Company: Not stated

Married: Yes

Children: Two sons aged 16 and 13

Clubs: None