Full Name: Barend Niemand
Position: CEO of Comtest Group
Main activity of the company: Distribution of test and measurement equipment
Date and Place of Birth: Pretoria, June 22, 1969
Education: BCompt and EDP diploma, University of South Africa
First Job: Auditors articled clerk
Career History Prior to Current Position: I completed my articles in 1992 and, between 1993 and 1995, was financial manager at Fidelity Acoustics (importer and distributor of Hi-Fi equipment). I served Spescom as group financial manager between 1995 and 2004, later becoming FD of Spescom Measure Graph
Size of First Pay Packet: Not stated
First Job with Present Group: FD at its inception in 2005
Value of Assets under Your Control: R55-million
Number of People under Your Leadership: 60
Management Style: Hands-on
Personal Best Achievement: Earning my degree and diploma through part-time study, despite being dyslexic, and my family – I have proudly been married for 22 years
Professional Best Achievement: Signing up Comtest’s first acquisition
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father, who taught me the value of commitment and integrity
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: John Wilson, for his mentorship
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Captain Nick Sloane (salvage master, who refloated the cruise ship Costa Concordia, which had run aground and capsized near Giglio, off the Italian coast)
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Brian Joffe
Philosophy of Life: Be humble and thankful, and do everything to the best of your ability
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Taking over as CEO of Comtest
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Walking away from opportunities that I knew could have been to my benefit, as well as that of others
Hope for the Future: That we grow and secure Comtest as the major player in the market
Favourite Reading: News and opinion pieces
Favourite TV Programme: Top Gear and Grand Designs
Favourite Food/Drink: Food that is rich in flavour – Italian, Thai . . . but mostly homemade food – ‘boerekos’
Favourite Music: Classical, selected rock and contemporary Christian music
Favourite Sport: Cricket and rugby
Favourite Website: Agricultural research and farm management sites, news websites
Hobbies: Nguni cattle farming and horse riding
Car: Mazda MX5 and Toyota Cruiser pick-up
Pets: Dogs and horses
Miscellaneous dislikes: Dishonesty and insincerity
Favourite Other South African Company: Bidvest
Favourite Foreign Company: Harman Kardon, a division of Harman International Industries
Married: To Clari Maré, since May 1993
Children: Josua, 18; Phia, 16; Daniel, 9
Clubs: The Nguni Breeders Association