Full Name: Deon Barnard
Position: MD of Invensys Wonderware since October 2012
Main Activity of the Company: Invensys Wonderware is a global supplier of technology systems, software solutions and consulting services to the manufacturing and infrastructure operations industries
Date and Place of Birth: May 6, 1964, Pretoria
Education: BIng (electrotechnical), MBA
First Job: Engineer-in-training at Iscor Vanderbijlpark
Size of First Pay Packet: R2 500 a month
First Job with Present Group: MES business development manager
Career History Prior to Current Position: GM: consulting at Wonderware South Africa, April 2010; divisional director: sales at Invensys South Africa, March 2011; MD of Invensys Wonderware South Africa, October 2012
Value of Assets under Your Control: R100-million
Number of People under Your Leadership: 27
Management Style: Open-door, hands-on
Personal Best Achievement: Finishing fourth overall in the SA Championship for Cross-Country Mountain Biking
Professional Best Achievement: Assisting Tata Steel to significantly improve its order due date compliance
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: Gerhard van Tonder at Iscor – his uncompromising approach has helped me in life
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Eli Goldraft showed me that anything is possible if you apply common sense
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Richard Branson
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Henning du Preez
Philosophy of Life: Work hard and be truthful, and success will follow
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Working in India as part of a large consulting team for Tata Steel
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Eish, I’m not sure
Hope for the Future: A stable and growing South Africa
Favourite Reading: Lord of the Rings
Favourite TV Programme: Modern Family
Favourite Food/Drink: Indian – from my time working in India
Favourite Music: Linkin Park
Favourite Sport: Motorcycle racing
Favourite Website: Flipboard
Hobbies: Motorcycle racing
Car: BMW X3, M Sport
Pets: Levi, a fox terrier
Miscellaneous Dislikes: When people make excuses why something cannot be done
Favourite Other South African Company: SAB
Favourite Foreign Company: Apple
Married: To Ronel du Toit since January 1989
Children: Sharlene, 23; Dylan, 15
Clubs: Northern Regions Motorcycle Racing