Full Name: Brenton Brian Kemp
Position: MD of Criterion Equipment
Main Activity of the Company: Criterion Equipment is the sole distributor of TCM forklift trucks in South Africa and several neighbouring countries
Date and Place of Birth: July 1, 1973, George, South Africa
Education: National diploma (cost and management accounting), Port Elizabeth Technikon (Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University); MDP and GEDP, Gordon Institute of Business Science
First Job: Costing trainee for Aberdare Cables' Standford Road factory
Career History Prior to Current Position: While in my current post, I was jointly appointed MD of CSE (Case Construction, Turf Division and Cartcom) in 2013. I relinquished responsibility for CSE in January 2017 to focus on building Criterion Equipment. Prior to joining Criterion Equipment, I was a key account manager at Imperial Logistics, looking after the Nampak group of companies. Prior to that, I occupied various positions within various operating companies of the Powertech group of companies, which is part of the Altron group
Size of First Pay Packet: R2 000 a month
First Job with Present Group: GM – this was shortly after Criterion Equipment's takeover by Invicta Holdings
Value of Assets under Your Control: R150-million
Number of People under Your Leadership: About 160
Management Style: I subscribe to an open-door policy, encouraging open dialogue
Personal Best Achievement: Maintaining balance between work and family life, and fathering two beautiful daughters
Professional Best Achievement: Leading Criterion Equipment (materials handling sector) and CSE (construction equipment supply industry, including specialised turf equipment and golf carts)
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My late father – the misfortunes he experienced during his career as an entrepreneur and the consequences of those misfortunes motivate and drive me to excel
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: The several mentors I have had
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Donald Trump – I am quite bemused by his leadership style
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Businesspeople who have ‘made it’, despite their humble beginnings
Philosophy of Life: Work hard, stay motivated, be positive and remain focused on the big picture
Biggest Ever Opportunity: My current position
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Ongoing company closures and restructures during the early part of my career
Hope for the Future: World peace, stabilisation of global economies, double-digit growth in South Africa and prosperity for all its citizens
Favourite Reading: I should, but do not read a lot; when I do read, it is generally business-related books
Favourite TV Programme: I am not a big TV fan, but the shows I prefer include Carte Blanche, Air Crash Investigators, CSI-type programmes
Favourite Food/Drink: A good old South African braai
Favourite Music: Afrikaans music
Favourite Sport: Rugby and limited-overs cricket
Favourite Website: www.news24.com and www.google.com
Hobbies: Being in the outdoors
Car: Toyota Landcruiser Prado
Pets: Four dogs – two Labradors and two miniature dachshunds
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Disorganisation and untidiness
Favourite Other South African Company: Altron and Imperial
Favourite Foreign Company: None
Married: To Caroline, since August 12, 2000
Children: Tayla, 16; Tamrin, 14
Clubs: None