Full Name: Brian Frederick Kuhnert

Position: MD of Gedore Tools

Main Activity of the Company: Gedore is a manufacturer, importer and distributor of hand tools and equipment

Date and Place of Birth: Johannesburg

Education: BSc (mechanical engineering), University of the Witwatersrand (Wits); BCompt, University of South Africa; MBA, Wits Business School

First Job: Engineer in training, Atlas Aircraft Corporation of South Africa

Career History Prior to Current Position: Project engineer, contracts engineer, finance and administration manager, finance and commercial director, MD

Size of First Pay Packet: A basic salary of R2 074 a month

First Job with Present Group: Finance and administration manager

Number of People under Your Leadership: 320

Management Style: Participative

Personal Best Achieve: Obtaining an MBA

Professional Best Achievement: My current position

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My wife

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Pope Francis

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Jack Welch

Philosophy of Life: Hard, focused work pays off

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Job offer with Gedore

Biggest Ever Disappointment: The possibility of South Africa being downgraded to junk status

Hope for the Future: That South Africa realises its full potential

Favourite Reading: World economic reviews

Favourite TV Programme: BBC World News

Favourite Food/Drink: South African braai/red wine

Favourite Music: Classical and contemporary guitar

Favourite Sport: Aerobics, rugby and tennis

Favourite Website: Various news and current affairs websites

Hobbies: Working out in the gym, playing the guitar, radio-controlled aircraft

Car: Audi

Pets: A German Shepherd

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Arrogance, laziness and dishonesty

Favourite Other South African Company: Woolworths

Favourite Foreign Company: General Electric

Married: To Sue

Children: Teenage son, Brendan