Full Name: Richard Brian Grantham

Position and Company Name: Joint Chief Executive at Deal Leaders International

Main Activity of the Company: Sell-side merger-and-acquisition advisory services

Date and Place of Birth: February 2, 1968, Cape Town

Schools and Tertiary Education: Michaelhouse; BSc (Mechanical Engineering); MBA

First Job: Engineer at Afrox

Size of First Pay Packet: R3 200 per month

Career Path to Date: Engineering, MBA studies, banking, educational television, broadcasting, sell-side mergers and acquisitions start-up, followed by Deal Leaders International

Number of People under Your Leadership: 15 employees

Management Style: Open, engaging, and respectful

Personal Best Achievement: Building my first business, Quickberry, followed by building Deal Leaders International

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My uncle, Tim

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My first boss, Dave Davies

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Former US President Barack Obama

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Jim Ratcliffe – I’m a fan of Grenadier, which reflects his engineering-driven entrepreneurial spirit

Philosophy of Life: Don’t focus on problems; find solutions

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Right now, Deal Leaders International

Biggest Ever Disappointment: A partner dispute in my broadcasting business

Hope for the Future: Economic prosperity for South Africa

Favourite Reading: I like to escape into novels . . . Shantaram, by Gregory David Roberts, is a favourite

Favourite TV Programme: I don’t watch a lot of TV but prefer a good mystery, mini-series, or movie rather than an endless series

Favourite Food/Drink: Mostly beer, wine, and braai. But I’ve recently really enjoyed a Sunday roast

Favourite Music: I love music, but, sadly, I'm music clueless. Alexa helps me out

Favourite Sport: Running as often as possible (and watching rugby from the couch)

Hobbies: DIY on our farm in the Drakensberg. I love cooking, but not in the kitchen; braaiing is my forte – the kitchen, not so much

Car: Ineos Grenadier

Pets: Patches and Splotchy – two long-legged Jack Russells

Married: To Barbara

Children: Jamie, 16; Robin, 15

Clubs: Canoe Club and Country Club Johannesburg