Duncan Ayling

7th April 2017

     

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Full Name: Duncan Ayling

Position: Wind Prospect (WP) Africa GM, since 2016

Main Activity of the Company: Wind and solar engineering and technical consultancy providing services for developers, investors, lenders and utilities throughout Africa

Date and Place of Birth: July 5, 1972, UK

Education: BEng (Hons) (mechanical design and materials engineering), 1993, Nottingham University, UK; MSc (offshore technology), 2006, Cranfield University, UK

First Job: Local bread factory equipment cleaner as a Sunday job, when I was 12, in 1984. I was small enough to climb inside the dough mixers to scrape dried dough

Size of First Pay Packet: Sunday double pay was £2 an hour, or R32 an hour

First Job with Present Group: GM

Career History Prior To Current Position: From 2010 to 2016, development director, Renewable Energy Systems Southern Africa, Cape Town; from 2012 to 2016 and 2010 to 201, board member, South African Wind Energy Association; from 2011 to 2013, chairperson, South African Wind Energy Association Environmental Working Group; from 2007 to 2010, head of offshore renewables, British Wind Energy Association, London; from 2006 to 2007, renewable energy consultant, AEA Energy & Environment, London; from 2003 to 2005, operations director/project manager, Coral Cay Conservation, London

Value of Assets under Your Control: WP’s assets are its people

Number of People under Your Leadership: Ten

Management Style: Lean

Personal Best Achievement: Happy children (so far)

Professional Best Achievement: Development of the 140 MW Oyster Bay wind farm, to start construction with Enel Green Power in 2017

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

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

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Desmond Tutu

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Dr Eddie O’Connor, CEO, Mainstream Renewable Power

Philosophy of Life: Buddhism ‘lite’

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Parenthood

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Brexit and Trump

Hope for the Future: Either an environmentally sustainable planet or a nice big sailing yacht – I am still deciding

Favourite Reading: Whatever is on Kindle

Favourite TV Programme: Currently, The Good Fight

Favourite Food/Drink: Sushi and Sauvignon Blanc

Favourite Music: No favourite. Varies from grunge to classical, depending on my mood

Favourite Sport: Scuba

Favourite Website: Engineering News

Hobbies: Water sports and triathlons

Car: No car; I ride a bicycle, but I would like a Tesla or a Zero motorcycle

Pets: Worms (for composting food waste)

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Single-use plastic and disregard for the environment.

Favourite Other South African Company: The South African Wind Energy Association. Although not a ‘company’, the association has consistently punched above its weight

Favourite Foreign Company: Tesla

Married: To Melanie Salter, since 2009

Children: Anthony, 4; Joscelyn,

Clubs: Virgin Active

Edited by Creamer Media Reporter

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