Full Name: Martyn Davies
Position: CEO of Frontier Advisory
Main Activity of the Company: Advisory services in emerging markets
Date and Place of Birth: January 19, 1972, UK
Education: BA Law (Hons) (cum laude), MA (cum laude), PhD, University of the Witwatersrand; Diploma in Asian Studies, Yonsei, Korea (completed by age 25); Making Markets Work (Harvard Business School)
First Job: Run for Life – part-time, while at high school
Career History Prior to Current Position: Director of the African-Asian Society, director of the Centre for Chinese Studies at Stellenbosch University, faculty member of the Gordon Institute of Business Science and director and CEO of Frontier Advisory
Size of First Pay Packet: R600 a month
First Job with Present Group: Director
Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated
Number of People under Your Leadership: 17
Management Style: Decisive and entrepreneurial
Personal Best Achievement: A fantastic family
Professional Best Achievement: Being selected a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My parents
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My brother, Haydn
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: My great-grandparents
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Ronnie Chan, chairperson of Hong Kong Stock Exchange-listed Hang Lung
Philosophy of Life: Be the best
Biggest Ever Opportunity: The crisis of 2008, which led to the creation of Frontier Advisory, which advises corporate clients in emerging markets
Biggest Ever Disappointment: I have not had any, fortunately
Hope for the Future: An African continent that provides opportunity for the young generation
Favourite Reading: I read a large number of books – I have no particular preference
Favourite TV Programme: CSI
Favourite Food/Drink: Laksa (from Malaysia/Singapore)/fresh orange juice
Favourite Music: R&B
Favourite Sport: Cycling, football and the World Rally Championship
Favourite Website: Google and Youtube – definitely the most useful
Hobbies: Reading lots of books, and sports
Car: Porsche
Pets: None (yet)
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Smoking, arrogance and people who park in bays reserved for the disabled
Favourite Other South African Company: Discovery
Favourite Foreign Company: Samsung
Married: Suheima Shamsoodeen since April 25, 2004
Children: Mikha, 7; Zarah, 4
Clubs: N/A