Full Name: Stephen Tjaart Mauritz van der Walt
Position: CEO of Novus Holdings since 2005 and president of the Printing Industries Federation of South Africa (PIFSA)
Main Activity of the Company: Novus Holdings, previously known as Paarl Media Group, operates 12 specialised printing plants and one tissue plant across South Africa
Date and Place of Birth: December 5, 1968
Education: BCom, University of Cape Town (UCT), 1991; postgraduate degree: financial management, taxation and insolvency, UCT, 1992; BCompt (Hons), University of South Africa, 1994; CA(SA), 1995; postgraduate programme, Harvard Business School, 2009
First Job: Runner at Mike’s Kitchen
Career History Prior to Current Position: I began my career with Novus Holdings in 2000 as CFO of Paarl Media Group and was appointed the group’s COO in 2004. In 2005, I was CEO of the group, which is now known as Novus Holdings and was listed on the JSE in March
Size of First Pay Packet: I was paid R1 550 a month as an articled clerk
First Job with Present Group: CFO of Paarl Media Group in 2000
Number of People under Your Leadership: More than 1 900
Management Style: I believe in having a flat structure, with no bureaucracy and no politics, which facilitates quick decision-making
Personal Best Achievement: Becoming a husband and a father
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My wife and my parents
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: I think Leonardo Da Vinci must have been fascinating.
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Warren Buffett
Philosophy of Life: Do not procrastinate and if you have an opportunity, seize it now
Biggest Ever Opportunity: My family, marriage and children
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Losing my father too early
Hope for the Future: That my children lead fulfilling lives
Favourite Reading: Jeffrey Archer
Favourite TV Programme: Modern Family
Favourite Food/Drink: Shepherd’s pie
Favourite Music: I enjoy contemporary pop/rock
Favourite Sport: Running and cycling
Favourite Website: None, in particular, but if I had to choose one, I would definitely say www.novus.holdings
Hobbies: Travelling.
Car: Mitsubishi Pajero
Pets: A dog
Miscellaneous Dislikes: People who do not take responsibility and ownership
Favourite Other South African Company: Sasol
Favourite Foreign Company: JPMorgan Chase
Married: To Christine
Children: Daniel and Sarah
Clubs: Member of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, chairperson of the Western Province Mountain Bike Commission and president of the PIFSA