Paolo Trinchero

22nd November 2013

Paolo Trinchero

Full Name: Paolo Trinchero

Position: CEO of the Southern African Institute of Steel Construction (Saisc)

Main Activity of the Company: Saisc promotes steel as the material of choice in construction and related manufacturing

Date and Place of Birth: January 2, 1969, Johannesburg

Education: Matric, Greenside High School; BSc Eng (Civil) and MSc Eng, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)

First Job: Engineer at Dorbyl Structural Engineering

Career History Prior to Current Position: I joined Saisc in 1998 as a consulting development engineer before becoming technology director. In 2003, I was given the opportunity to start and run the Cellular Beam division at Macsteel Trading as engineering manager. I became long products director and then national steel products director in 2010 at Macsteel Trading’s head office and finally business development and technical director at Macsteel Corporate Services. In September 2013, I was appointed CEO of Saisc

Size of First Pay Packet: I cannot remember

First Job with Present Group: Consulting development engineer and technology director, between 1998 and 2001

Value of Assets under Your Control: Our assets are our people and our membership

Number of People under Your Leadership: 15

Management Style: Open, flexible and participative

Personal Best Achievement: Our three children

Professional Best Achievement: Being given the responsibility to lead Saisc and represent its members

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My Wife

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Professor Alan Kemp, of Wits

Persons You Would Most Like to Meet: Morgan Freeman and Elon Musk, CEO of Space X

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Richard Branson

Philosophy of Life: Never give up

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Starting and running the Cellular Beam division at Macsteel Trading

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not having completed my PhD (refer to philosophy of life – so there is hope)

Hope for the Future: That we live in an inclusive and prosperous South Africa

Favourite Reading: Jeffrey Archer, Jeffery Deaver and John Irving

Favourite TV Programmes: The Big Bang Theory, Nextworld and Brain Games

Favourite Food/Drink: Ravioli and draft beer (not together, though)

Favourite Music: The eighties

Favourite Sports: Soccer, tennis and athletics

Favourite Websites: engineeringnews.co.za, followed by saisc.co.za and news sites

Hobbies: DIY, walking and kayaking

Pets: Two Alsatians and 3.5 cats (stray)

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Long meetings

Favourite Other South African Companies: Woolworths and SABMiller (refer to food and drink)

Favourite Foreign Companies: Apple and Samsung

Married: To Lora, since 1996

Children: Giulio, 14; Angelo, 11; Sabrina, 8

Clubs: Virgin Active and, hopefully, a good golf club one day