Full Name: Stefano Marani

Position: CEO of Renergen

Main Activity of the Company: Alternative energy

Date and Place of Birth: Standerton, South Africa

Education: BSc (actuarial science), honours degree, advanced mathematics of finance, University of the Witwatersrand

First Job: Deutsche Bank

Career History Prior to Current Position: After working for Deutsche Bank (in New York, London and Johannesburg) for four years, I joined Morgan Stanley in London and spent four-and-a-half years with the organisation. I resigned from Morgan Stanley to cofound Kigeni Holdings, a Pan-African financial services firm specialising in project financing, in 2009. I resigned from Kigeni to join Molopo, which was subsequently acquired by Renergen

Size of First Pay Packet: A basic salary of R12 000 a month; my bonus for the first year was about R600 000

First Job with Present Group: CEO

Value of Assets under Your Control: Market capitalisation of R1.1-billion

Number of People under Your Leadership: 12 people

Management Style: Flat structure, limited hierarchy, open-plan offices and open-door policy. I also subscribe to the philosophy that you must surround oneself with people who are better than you

Personal Best Achievement: Completing my degree, despite several challenges

Professional Best Achievement: Being appointed an executive director at Morgan Stanley, in London, before the age of 30

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: Too many to mention – I subscribe to the philosophy that, if you are the smartest person in the room, you are in the wrong room

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: The team at Deutsche Bank in Johannesburg – they gave me my first real break by employing me and taught me many lessons along the way

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: It was Nelson Mandela; unfortunately, never managed to achieve that one

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: My father, who was capable of spotting trends and managed to become successful while never compromising his principles, and my mother, for having had the tenacity to succeed, despite every obstacle being put in her way

Philosophy of Life: Smile, because you won’t come out of it alive

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Renergen

Biggest Ever Disappointment: The 2008 financial crisis

Hope for the Future: Many more great times with my family and friends

Favourite Reading: Nonfiction (mostly scientific reads); for fiction I enjoy a good Stephen King book

Favourite TV Programme: Game of Thrones

Favourite Food/Drink: French and Italian food and sushi

Favourite Music: Beautiful South, Muse and Tom Waits, among others

Favourite Sport: Formula 1

Favourite Website: Mainly the news websites

Hobbies: Since the birth of my daughter 18 months ago, I no longer have hobbies. Before her, my hobbies were mountain biking and playing the guitar (badly)

Car: The favourite I ever owned was a 1972 Alfa GT Junior 1750 in royal blue – what a machine!

Pets: None

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Kleptocracy and incompetence

Favourite Other South African Company: SABMiller

Favourite Foreign Company: Berkshire Hathaway

Married: To Pola Kurczych, since 2014, but we have been together for 11 amazing years

Children: Sofia, 18 months

Clubs: None