Full Name: Stefano Marani
Position: CEO of Renergen
Main Activity of the Company: Alternative energy
Date and Place of Birth: Standerton, South Africa
Education: BSc (actuarial science), honours degree, advanced mathematics of finance, University of the Witwatersrand
First Job: Deutsche Bank
Career History Prior to Current Position: After working for Deutsche Bank (in New York, London and Johannesburg) for four years, I joined Morgan Stanley in London and spent four-and-a-half years with the organisation. I resigned from Morgan Stanley to cofound Kigeni Holdings, a Pan-African financial services firm specialising in project financing, in 2009. I resigned from Kigeni to join Molopo, which was subsequently acquired by Renergen
Size of First Pay Packet: A basic salary of R12 000 a month; my bonus for the first year was about R600 000
First Job with Present Group: CEO
Value of Assets under Your Control: Market capitalisation of R1.1-billion
Number of People under Your Leadership: 12 people
Management Style: Flat structure, limited hierarchy, open-plan offices and open-door policy. I also subscribe to the philosophy that you must surround oneself with people who are better than you
Personal Best Achievement: Completing my degree, despite several challenges
Professional Best Achievement: Being appointed an executive director at Morgan Stanley, in London, before the age of 30
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: Too many to mention – I subscribe to the philosophy that, if you are the smartest person in the room, you are in the wrong room
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: The team at Deutsche Bank in Johannesburg – they gave me my first real break by employing me and taught me many lessons along the way
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: It was Nelson Mandela; unfortunately, never managed to achieve that one
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: My father, who was capable of spotting trends and managed to become successful while never compromising his principles, and my mother, for having had the tenacity to succeed, despite every obstacle being put in her way
Philosophy of Life: Smile, because you won’t come out of it alive
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Renergen
Biggest Ever Disappointment: The 2008 financial crisis
Hope for the Future: Many more great times with my family and friends
Favourite Reading: Nonfiction (mostly scientific reads); for fiction I enjoy a good Stephen King book
Favourite TV Programme: Game of Thrones
Favourite Food/Drink: French and Italian food and sushi
Favourite Music: Beautiful South, Muse and Tom Waits, among others
Favourite Sport: Formula 1
Favourite Website: Mainly the news websites
Hobbies: Since the birth of my daughter 18 months ago, I no longer have hobbies. Before her, my hobbies were mountain biking and playing the guitar (badly)
Car: The favourite I ever owned was a 1972 Alfa GT Junior 1750 in royal blue – what a machine!
Pets: None
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Kleptocracy and incompetence
Favourite Other South African Company: SABMiller
Favourite Foreign Company: Berkshire Hathaway
Married: To Pola Kurczych, since 2014, but we have been together for 11 amazing years
Children: Sofia, 18 months
Clubs: None