Full Name: Duncan Ayling
Position: Wind Prospect (WP) Africa GM, since 2016
Main Activity of the Company: Wind and solar engineering and technical consultancy providing services for developers, investors, lenders and utilities throughout Africa
Date and Place of Birth: July 5, 1972, UK
Education: BEng (Hons) (mechanical design and materials engineering), 1993, Nottingham University, UK; MSc (offshore technology), 2006, Cranfield University, UK
First Job: Local bread factory equipment cleaner as a Sunday job, when I was 12, in 1984. I was small enough to climb inside the dough mixers to scrape dried dough
Size of First Pay Packet: Sunday double pay was £2 an hour, or R32 an hour
First Job with Present Group: GM
Career History Prior To Current Position: From 2010 to 2016, development director, Renewable Energy Systems Southern Africa, Cape Town; from 2012 to 2016 and 2010 to 201, board member, South African Wind Energy Association; from 2011 to 2013, chairperson, South African Wind Energy Association Environmental Working Group; from 2007 to 2010, head of offshore renewables, British Wind Energy Association, London; from 2006 to 2007, renewable energy consultant, AEA Energy & Environment, London; from 2003 to 2005, operations director/project manager, Coral Cay Conservation, London
Value of Assets under Your Control: WP’s assets are its people
Number of People under Your Leadership: Ten
Management Style: Lean
Personal Best Achievement: Happy children (so far)
Professional Best Achievement: Development of the 140 MW Oyster Bay wind farm, to start construction with Enel Green Power in 2017
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My wife
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My wife
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Desmond Tutu
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Dr Eddie O’Connor, CEO, Mainstream Renewable Power
Philosophy of Life: Buddhism ‘lite’
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Parenthood
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Brexit and Trump
Hope for the Future: Either an environmentally sustainable planet or a nice big sailing yacht – I am still deciding
Favourite Reading: Whatever is on Kindle
Favourite TV Programme: Currently, The Good Fight
Favourite Food/Drink: Sushi and Sauvignon Blanc
Favourite Music: No favourite. Varies from grunge to classical, depending on my mood
Favourite Sport: Scuba
Favourite Website: Engineering News
Hobbies: Water sports and triathlons
Car: No car; I ride a bicycle, but I would like a Tesla or a Zero motorcycle
Pets: Worms (for composting food waste)
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Single-use plastic and disregard for the environment.
Favourite Other South African Company: The South African Wind Energy Association. Although not a ‘company’, the association has consistently punched above its weight
Favourite Foreign Company: Tesla
Married: To Melanie Salter, since 2009
Children: Anthony, 4; Joscelyn,
Clubs: Virgin Active