Full Name: Michael Douglas Hellyar
Position: MD of Air Products South Africa
Main Activity of the Company: Air Products manufactures and supplies industrial and speciality gases
Date and Place of Birth: May 4, 1961, Johannesburg
Education: BSc (Hons), BCom, MBL, AMP
First Job: Research assistant
Career History Prior to Current Position: Speciality gas production manager, facility manager, GM: packaged gases, GM: on-sites and bulk gases
Size of First Pay Packet: R1 000 a month
First Job with Present Group: Speciality gases production chemist
Value of Assets under Your Control: R3.5-billion
Number of People under Your Leadership: 680
Management Style: Participative, with a focus on driving activities that add value
Personal Best Achievement: Obtaining an undergraduate degree with little support
Professional Best Achievement: Current role as MD of Air Products
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My wife, Dawn
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My father, Dennis
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Muhammad Ali
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Anton Rupert
Philosophy of Life: Listen to and learn from those around you; be cautious with your opinion
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Access to education
Biggest Ever Disappointment: That South Africa has not been able to fully benefit from the richness of talent and diversity that it has
Hope for the Future: That politicians base their decisions on what is in the best interest of society, and not on what is required to remain in power
Favourite Reading: Nonfiction
Favourite TV Programme: Sport and Discovery Channel
Favourite Food/Drink: Tuna dishes
Favourite Music: Contemporary music
Favourite Sport: Boxing and ice hockey
Favourite Website: Engineering News Online
Hobbies: Travel, the outdoors and a little golf
Car: Jaguar
Pets: A miniature pug and a Yorkie
Miscellaneous Dislikes: People who display arrogance
Favourite Other South African Company: Sasol and Steinhoff
Favourite Foreign Company: Berkshire Hathaway
Married: To Dawn, since 1987
Children: Natalie, 25; Matthew, 22
Clubs: Johannesburg Country Club