Full Name: Ian Andrew McCrystal

Position: CEO of First Cut

Main Activity of the Company: The manufacture and distribution of engineering cutting consumables and the sale and servicing of associated machinery, including bandsaw machines, tube and sheet metal bending machines, and laser and waterjet machines

Date and Place of Birth: August 4, 1966

Education: BSc (Hons), University of the Witwatersrand (Wits); BCom, Wits; MBA, University of London

First Job: Packer at the local bottle store

Career History Prior to Current Position: Regional and economic development planner

Size of First Pay Packet: R35 over weekends

First Job with Present Group: Financial manager

Value of Assets under Your Control: R110-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: About 240 at any given time

Management Style: That depends on whether it is ‘war time’ or ‘peace time’ – that is, on what the prevailaing business situation requires
Personal Best Achievement: Completing a bicycle race with my two sons after having overcome cancer

Professional Best Achievement: Being part of the growth of First Cut from its early days to the successful 60-year-old capital equipment and consumables business it is today

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

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: A couple of good friends have given me great advice over the years

Persons You Would Most Like to Meet: Charlie Sheen and Richard Branson

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Clem Sunter

Philosophy of Life: If you are not on holiday, you should have a plan for your next one

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being admitted to university – three times

Biggest Ever Disappointment: That beautiful brunette, the Wits campus, 1985!

Hope for the Future: An educated South Africa

Favourite Reading: Biographies

Favourite TV Programme: Friends

Favourite Food/Drink: A braai and a beer with friends and family

Favourite Music: Deacon Blue

Favourite Sport: Cricket (watching), mountain biking (participating)

Favourite Website: None

Hobbies: Fishing, reading

Car: Mercedes-Benz

Pets: None

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Racism, sexism – well, most isms

Favourite Other South African Company: South African Breweries

Favourite Foreign Company: Nestlé

Children: Stephen, 19; Billy, 16

Clubs: Most recent – White River Country Club, Lowveld Aeronautical Club and Lowveld Canoe Club