Full Name: Richard Chetty
Position: Service director at Samsung Electronics South Africa, since July 1, 2013
Main Activity of the Company: Consumer electronics, aftersales and technical issues
Date and Place of Birth: July 10, 1975, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
Education: Matric, Stanmore High School, 1993; banking diploma, Institute of Banking, 2001; MDP, Harvard Business School, 2003; MBA, Management College of Southern Africa
First Job: Call centre and quality manager, Pro-Active Marketing Research, December 1993
Size of First Pay Packet: R800 a month
First Job with Present Group: Service director, July 1, 2013
Career History Prior to Current Position: Strategic business unit manager, Absa, 2000; head of sales and service: Automobile Association, 2002; head of customer service, BMW South Africa, 2004; head of innovation and strategy, BMW South Africa, 2009; board member and aftersales director, Jaguar/Landover Africa, 2011
Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated
Number of People under Your Leadership: 200, consisting of 100 support centre employees, 50 headquarters employees and 50 parts division employees. There are also 20 staff members in neighbouring countries working under in-country managers, who report directly to me
Management Style: I ‘walk the talk’ – this earns me the right to be responsible for others
Personal Best Achievement: Successful completion of MDP studies at Harvard Business School
Professional Best Achievement: During my time at BMW, we set up new manufacturing plant capabilities, doubling production volumes from 50 000 to 100 000 vehicles a year
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father – he taught me the value of hard work
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: The current MD of BMW South Africa, Bodo Donauer – he believed in my ability to add value to the automotive industry
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Jake White
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Jack Welsh, former CEO of General Electric
Philosophy of Life: Do unto others as you would like them to do unto you
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Heading up services at Samsung South Africa
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Liverpool playing in the Champions League; we only want the best teams playing in the Champions League
Hope for the Future: To be the leader in the service industry for consumer electronics in South Africa
Favourite Reading: Engineering News, Business Times, Financial Times and Awake Magazine
Favourite TV Programme: Arrow (TV series), Britain’s Got Talent, Superman and The Avengers
Favourite Food/Drink: South African braai and biryani/Coca-Cola products
Favourite Music: 1980s rock
Favourite Sport: I play tennis, soccer and cricket socially to keep healthy and fit
Favourite Website: Google, LinkedIn and JW.ORG
Hobbies: Cricket, soccer, tennis and braaing
Car: Range Rover Evoque (waiting for Range Rover Sport)
Pets: None
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Rude, obnoxious and self-centred people
Favourite Other South African Company: Amalgamated Beverage Industries
Favourite Foreign Company: Jaguar/Land Rover
Married: Single
Children: Kyle, 12; Keano, 8
Clubs: Pretoria North Tennis Club, Samsung Service Soccer Team