Full Name: Rob MacKenzie
Position: MD of Endress+Hauser
Main Activity of the Company: Process instrumentation, solutions and services
Date and Place of Birth: October 4, 1962, Ndola, Zambia
Education: University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, BSc (electronic engineering), 1985; professional engineer, 1990
First Job: Programmable logic controller programming engineer, Siemens
Career History Prior to Current Position: Siemens, AEG, Control Instruments, Phoenix Contact
Size of First Pay Packet: R1 430 a month
First Job with Present Group: MD
Value of Assets under Your Control: R70-million
Number of People under Your Leadership: 126
Management Style: To have vision and serve
Personal Best Achievement: Being married for 26 years and raising two exceptional children
Professional Best Achievement: My current job, being recognised as a leader and influencer in my industry and having a chance to effect change
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My wife and Nelson Mandela – I am still in awe of his leadership and humility
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Braam Perold, of AEG – he taught me the value of hard work and serving and to be accountable
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Thuli Madonsela
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Elon Musk and Brian Joffe
Philosophy of Life: Be kind; work hard; expect more; be proud, ethical and fair; and always be willing to take the next step
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Studying at university – this was not easy for my parents
Biggest Ever Disappointment: I have had many – but I learnt from them and moved on
Hope for the Future: A peaceful and prosperous South Africa
Favourite Reading: A mix of leadership, spirituality, fiction, mystery and futurism
Favourite TV Programme: I watch only sport on weekends
Favourite Food/Drink: Rump steak/red wine
Favourite Music: Contemporary rock, light jazz and anything by Santana and the Bee Gees
Favourite Sport: Rugby and cricket (watching), golf and squash (playing) and a bit of trout fishing when I can
Favourite Website: Google
Hobbies: Birding, photography and golf – but I am not very good at any of them
Car: VW Touareg (third one)
Pets: Staffie and friend
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Loud people with little to say, dishonesty
Favourite Other South African Company: Bidvest
Favourite Foreign Company: Amazon
Married: To Lynne Hall, since 1990
Children: Taryn, 23; Conner, 20
Clubs: Randpark Golf Club, Virgin Active