Full Name: Ran Neu-Ner
Position: Group co-CEO of The Creative Counsel
Main Activity of the Company: Marketing communication and advertising
Date and Place of Birth: August 27, 1975
Education: BCom, CFA
First Job: Pushed trolleys at Pick n Pay for a tip when I was 11 years old
Career History Prior to Current Position: Several businesses, being a stockbroker for four months, one insolvent business and one business sold for north of a R1-billion
Size of First Pay Packet: R6 500 a month in 1999 when I was a stockbroker; that was my first and last formal job
First Job with Present Group: Cofounder and group co-CEO
Value of Assets under Your Control: Turnover of R1-billion
Number of People under Your Leadership: 1 000 permanent staff
Management Style: I started as a young, hungry autocrat, but quickly learnt the value of empathy and surrounding myself with smarter people than I am
Personal Best Achievement: Passing at school
Professional Best Achievement: 2016 EY Southern Africa World Entrepreneur Award – exceptional entrepreneur
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My wife
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My father
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Jose Mourinho
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Dinesh Patel, CEO of OrderIn South Africa
Philosophy of Life: My investment company is called Shits and Giggles because, if you are not having fun doing what you do, then why do it?
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Founding The Creative Counsel
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Losing good people in the company
Hope for the Future: That we invest in and nurture entrepreneurs
Favourite Reading: Short, snackable content
Favourite TV Programme: Suits
Favourite Food/Drink: My grandmother’s baklava
Favourite Music: Anything goes
Favourite Sport: Football
Favourite Website: Not stated
Hobbies: Flying, boating and Bitcoin trading
Car: Range Rover
Pets: Koi fish
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Stupidity and entitlement – worse when combined
Favourite Other South African Company: OrderIn
Favourite Foreign Company: Amazon
Married: To Dani, since March 1, 2015
Children: Benji – he is one-year-and-a-bit old
Clubs: Young Presidents Organisation, Entrepreneurs’ Organisation