Full Name: Koketso Seripe
Position: CE of Etion Digitise
Main Activity of the Company: Etion Digitise, previously Ansys Rail, provides digital safety and environmental management systems ranging from sensors, asset management, telematics and the Internet of Things
Date and Place of Birth: December 10, 1975
Education: Chemical engineering, Vaal University of Technology, 1997; practical project management, University of South Africa (Unisa), 2005; advanced project management, Unisa, 2006; MBA, Milpark Business School, 2011
First Job: Waiter
Career History Prior to Current Position: I served in various positions at KBR Inc, including process engineer (2002 to 2004), project engineer (2004 to 2005) and project manager (2005 to 2007). I then became national marketing manager at Lafarge (2008 to 2009), business development manager at SNC-Lavalin South Africa (2009 to 2013) and director of business development for the Mining & Minerals Business Unit (Africa and Europe) of Fluor Corporation (2013 to 2017)
Size of First Pay Packet: R500 a month, as a waiter
First Job with Present Group: CE
Management Style: Situational
Personal Best Achievement: Successful completion of an offshore project as project manager
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My wife
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Various managers and colleagues
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Warren Buffett
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Warren Buffett
Philosophy of Life: An extra mile ahead is less crowded
Biggest Ever Opportunity: International business exposure
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Coming a close second on a bid
Hope for the Future: That safe, efficient, profitable production becomes the norm industrywide
Favourite Reading: Literature on mind power
Favourite TV Programme: How It’s Made
Favourite Food/Drink: Pasta
Favourite Music: Any good music
Favourite Sport: Boxing
Favourite Website: The Etion website
Favourite Other South African Company: Discovery
Favourite Foreign Company: Fluor
Hobbies: Reading, running, soccer
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Ineffective meetings
Married: To Tebogo
Children: Thabo and Refilwe
Clubs: The Good Guys