Full Name: Craig Langley Northwood
Position: Group MD of UWP Consulting and associated companies
Main Activity of the Company: Consulting engineering and project management
Date and Place of Birth: March 10, 1955, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
Education: BSc (civil), University of KwaZulu-Natal; CMP, University of Stellenbosch; Pr Eng; Pr CPM
First Job: Engineer, Natal Roads Department
Career History Prior to Current Position: I held various positions with the KwaZulu Department of Transport before becoming regional manager/executive director of UWP Consulting
Size of First Pay Packet: R273 a month
First Job with Present Group: Regional manager/associate for the Eastern Cape
Value of Assets under Your Control: Minimal, as UWP is a professional services company
Number of People under Your Leadership: 360
Management Style: Open-door
Personal Best Achievement: Completing 11 consecutive Argus cycle tours
Professional Best Achievement: My current position
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My mother
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: The late Puk Healey
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Nelson Mandela
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Kevin Hedderwick, CEO of Famous Brands
Philosophy of Life: Work hard and never expect anyone to do something that you would not be prepared to do yourself
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Appointment as group MD of UWP
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Still to happen
Hope for the Future: A crime- and corruption-free South Africa in which there is an abundance of business and job opportunities for all
Favourite Reading: The Sunday Times and biographies
Favourite TV Programme: Cart Blanche
Favourite Food/Drink: Beef carpaccio/red wine
Favourite Music: From the 70s and 80s
Favourite Sport: Cycling
Favourite Website: News24
Hobbies: The outdoors, particularly the Clipperty Clopp Private Reserve, in the Eastern Cape, and the Kabula Lodge, on the Zambezi river, in Western Zambia
Car: Toyota Prado
Pets: Three golden retrievers
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Laziness and dishonesty
Favourite Other South African Company: Aspen Pharmacare
Favourite Foreign Company: None
Married: To Mary Anne since February 1983
Children: Leigh-Anne, 25; Jason, 28
Clubs: Rotary Club of Sandton