Full Name: Chad Richard Andrews
Position: MD of Lapp Southern Africa
Main Activity of the Company: Marketing, selling and distributing specialised cables for the low-voltage industry
Date and Place of Birth: September 22, 1967, Nelspruit Mpumalanga
Education and Qualifications: MSc, Da Vinci Institute for Technology Management, 2011; Management Development Programme, University of Cape Town, 2004; aircraft electrician’s course, 1990; N4/N5/N6, including electronics, mathematics, logic science and computer principles,1989
First Job: Aircraft electronics technician, Atlas Aircraft
Career History Prior to Current Position: GM: sales and marketing, Crabtree
Size of First Pay Packet: R850 a month
First Job with Present Group: MD
Value of Assets under Your Control: About R10-million
Number of People under Your Leadership: 27
Management Style: Participative (democratic), with the primary objective being to build commitment and consensus among employees – if they listen!
Personal Best Achievement: Completing a master’s degree while working full-time as the sales and marketing director of Aberdare
Professional Best Achievement: Graduating with a master’s degree in Innovation, technology and people management
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My wife
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Harry Coetzee
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Richard Branson
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Warren Buffett
Philosophy of Life: Working towards being self-actualised
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Appointment as MD of a global company
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not being a shareholder of Major Tech
Hope for the Future: That we all become sensible and develop a strong sense of ownership of the world, so that we may appreciate it
Favourite Reading: Wilbur Smith novels and the latest business trends
Favourite TV Programme: Blue Bloods
Favourite Food/Drink: Sushi/Johnny Black whisky
Favourite Music: Bon Jovi, Dire Straits
Favourite Sport: Golf
Favourite Website: None
Hobbies: Hiking, cooking and mountain biking
Car: Toyota Fortuner
Pets: Dogs – Boston, a terrier, and a pavement special
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Fingernails on an old chalkboard
Favourite Other South African Company: Crabtree
Favourite Foreign Company: Virgin
Married: To Heidi, since March 18, 2000
Children: Wade, 13; Derryn, 11
Clubs: Benoni Lake Club – I have been a member of this golf club for 30 years