Full Name: Ross Collard

Position: MD of Case Construction (CSE)

Main Activity of the Company: CSE distributes Case earthmoving equipment throughout South Africa through a dealer network focused on sales, parts and backup service

Date and Place of Birth: April 7, 1972, Scotland

Education: FMP, Gordon Institute of Business Science

First Job: Earthmoving equipment apprentice

Career History Prior to Current Position: Barloworld Equipment – sales manager, KwaZulu-Natal; HPE – branch manager, KwaZulu-Natal; Barloworld Equipment – workshop manager, sales representative, technical representative, service supervisor, artisan and apprentice

Size of First Pay Packet: About R20 an hour when I was an apprentice

First Job with Present Group: MD of CSE, since January 1, 2017

Value of Assets under Your Control: About R100-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: About 50 nationally

Management Style: Firm and fair; treat people as you would like to be treated

Personal Best Achievement: Progressing steadily throughout my working life, adding value wherever I have been and creating strong relationships in my field

Professional Best Achievement: Being appointed MD of CSE

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

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Tony Sinclair – he showed faith in me and has given me the opportunity to perform at this level

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Steve Jobs

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Elon Musk

Philosophy of Life: If you do not enjoy it, do not do it

Biggest Ever Opportunity: My current position

Hope for the Future: That I succeed in all my roles

Favourite Reading: Biographies, sport and business

Favourite TV Programme: Gold Rush

Favourite Food/Drink: Lasagne and beer

Favourite Music: Rock – however, with two youngsters, I am enjoying the latest pumping tunes

Favourite Sport: Golf and rugby, especially school rugby – it is so passionate, I can stand next to the field all day

Favourite Website: Google

Hobbies: School sports and golf, although I am pretty average

Car: Toyota Fortuner

Pets: Sasha the Worsie

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Being late

Favourite Other South African Company: Nando’s

Favourite Foreign Company: Apple

Married: To Natalie, since November 1, 1997

Children: Nicholas, 17; Matthew, 12

Clubs: Not stated