Full Name: Ian Andrew McCrystal
Position: CEO of First Cut
Main Activity of the Company: The manufacture and distribution of engineering cutting consumables and the sale and servicing of associated machinery, including bandsaw machines, tube and sheet metal bending machines, and laser and waterjet machines
Date and Place of Birth: August 4, 1966
Education: BSc (Hons), University of the Witwatersrand (Wits); BCom, Wits; MBA, University of London
First Job: Packer at the local bottle store
Career History Prior to Current Position: Regional and economic development planner
Size of First Pay Packet: R35 over weekends
First Job with Present Group: Financial manager
Value of Assets under Your Control: R110-million
Number of People under Your Leadership: About 240 at any given time
Management Style: That depends on whether it is ‘war time’ or ‘peace time’ – that is, on what the prevailaing business situation requires
Personal Best Achievement: Completing a bicycle race with my two sons after having overcome cancer
Professional Best Achievement: Being part of the growth of First Cut from its early days to the successful 60-year-old capital equipment and consumables business it is today
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My parents
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: A couple of good friends have given me great advice over the years
Persons You Would Most Like to Meet: Charlie Sheen and Richard Branson
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Clem Sunter
Philosophy of Life: If you are not on holiday, you should have a plan for your next one
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being admitted to university – three times
Biggest Ever Disappointment: That beautiful brunette, the Wits campus, 1985!
Hope for the Future: An educated South Africa
Favourite Reading: Biographies
Favourite TV Programme: Friends
Favourite Food/Drink: A braai and a beer with friends and family
Favourite Music: Deacon Blue
Favourite Sport: Cricket (watching), mountain biking (participating)
Favourite Website: None
Hobbies: Fishing, reading
Car: Mercedes-Benz
Pets: None
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Racism, sexism – well, most isms
Favourite Other South African Company: South African Breweries
Favourite Foreign Company: Nestlé
Children: Stephen, 19; Billy, 16
Clubs: Most recent – White River Country Club, Lowveld Aeronautical Club and Lowveld Canoe Club