Full Name: Junai A Maharaj

Position: MD of Buckman Africa

Main Activity of the Company: The provision of world-class chemical solutions that realise measurable improvement in profitability, productivity, quality and sustainability

Date and Place of Birth: December 27, 1973, Durban

Education: CA(SA)

First Job: Vacation work while studying – I was a delivery assistant for Blue Ribbon Bakeries. My first permanent job was as a trainee accountant and auditor

Career History Prior to Current Position: Audit and business advisory manager with Andersen & Co, financial manager with Buckman and GM: operations with Buckman

Size of First Pay Packet: R3 000 a year

First Job with Present Group: Financial manager

Value of Assets under Your Control: R230-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: 200

Management Style: It depends on the circumstances, but it is mostly coaching and participative
Personal Best Achievement: My children

Professional Best Achievement: Developing a strong collaborative team that is aligned and focused on delivering results

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father – for his guidance and encouragement; and my son – for his perseverance and determination to overcome obstacles thrown at him

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My previous boss and also my coach and mentor – Leigh Mann

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Nelson Mandela

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Steve Jobs

Philosophy of Life: What you put in is what you get out

Biggest Ever Opportunity: A second to chance at life after being hijacked by three armed robbers in 1998 and meeting and learning from the best while studying at Stanford, in the US – these included former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Intel founder and chairperson Andrew Grove

Biggest Ever Disappointment: The 1999 cricket World Cup run-out

Hope for the Future: That we find sustainable solutions to poverty and crime in our beautiful country

Favourite Reading: The Art of Living – Epictetus

Favourite TV Programme: Carte Blanche

Favourite Food/Drink: Wood-fired pizza

Favourite Music: Eric Clapton

Favourite Sport: Cricket

Favourite Website: Amazon.com

Hobbies: Reading, swimming, travel and movies

Car: Mercedes-Benz C Class

Pets: None

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Those calls where they try to sell you another cellphone contract or another credit card

Favourite Other South African Company: MTN

Favourite Foreign Company: Apple

Married: To Reesha for 13 years

Children: Jurique, 12; Jyotika, 7

Clubs: Family time is more important now – maybe when we have an empty nest