Full Name: Christian Malan
Position: GM of Parker Hannifin South Africa Sales Company (SASC) since July 1, 2011, and MD of Parker Hannifin Africa since March 2012
Main Activity of the Company: SASC is a supplier of motion control engineering products to the South African market. Parker Hannifin is the world’s leading diversified manufacturer of motion and control technologies and systems, providing precision-engineered solutions for a variety of mobile, industrial and aerospace markets
Date and Place of Birth: November 29, 1973, Cape Town
Education: BTech (mechanical engineering), 1996, Cape Peninsula University of Technology; MBA, Warwick Business School (being completed)
First Job: Trainee manager at Clutch & Brake Supplies, Cape Town
Career History Prior to Current Position: I worked for Clutch & Brake Supplies in various sales and operational management roles from January 1994 to November 1999, before joining Parker Hannifin in the UK in January 2000. I returned to South Africa in July 2011
Size of First Pay Packet: R1 500 a month
First Job with Present Group: Mobile territory manager
Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated
Number of People under Your Leadership: 60
Management Style: Consultative, goal orientated
Personal Best Achievement: Diving on an HMHS Britannic expedition for a National Geographic documentary
Professional Best Achievement: Implementing Parker Fluid connectors at JCB Backhoe Loaders
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Learnt something from all my colleagues and managers
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: British mountaineer Sir Christian John Storey Bonington
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: South African-born Canadian-American business magnate, engineer, inventor and investor Elon Musk
Philosophy of Life: One life, live it
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Current business role
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Losing friends in the pursuit of adventure
Hope for the Future: That South Africa lives up to its potential
Favourite Reading: Biographies on or by adventurers
Favourite TV Programme: Sport
Favourite Food/Drink: Venison/red wine
Favourite Music: 90s alternative
Favourite Sport: Anything active and outdoors. I have completed the Comrades Marathon and Ironman
Favourite Website: News24
Hobbies: Raising children
Car: Toyota Fortuner
Pets: None, currently
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Laziness and a lack of accountability
Favourite Other South African Company: Bell Equipment
Favourite Foreign Company: Google
Married: To Fiona, for seven years
Children: Evelyn 5; William, 3; Brendan 1
Clubs: Kyalami Running Club