Full Name: Colin Oliver

Position: MD of MSA

Main Activity of the Company: MSA has been a leading manufacturer of high-quality safety products since 1914

Date and Place of Birth: April 4, 1969

Education: Masters of business leadership (cum laude), University of South Africa (Unisa) School for Business Leadership; diploma in data metrics, Unisa; BEng (electrial engineering), University of Pretoria

First Job: Warehouse stock packer at the Metro Trade Centre in Springs

Career History Prior to Current Position: I have worked for SAMSAC Africa since 2010 and before that I worked for Terex Africa Southern Africa as GM: mining and for P&H MinePro Services in various positions

Size of First Pay Packet: R3 800 a month

First Job with Present Group: Sales director

Value of Assets under Your Control: R340-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: 610

Management Style: Democratic and participative

Personal Best Achievement: Successfully completing the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Comrades Marathon in 2000, finishing 30 minutes before the cutoff time, only nine months after having a near-fatal motorcycle accident

Professional Best Achievement: The successful building and handover for operation to Anglo Platinum of a 5 000 t R110-million hydraulic excavator on time and within budget and the successful return to profitability of various repair and maintenance contracts that I managed for various businesses

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father, Corrie Oliver

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: I have had various key influencers, some direct and others indirect

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Warren Buffet and Anthony Robbins

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Anglo American CEO Mark Cutifani

Philosophy of Life: Live life to the fullest and try not to be overly serious

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Leading the SAMSAC Africa business in sub-Saharan Africa

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Losing my father to cancer and not being able to show him his granddaughter

Hope for the Future: That all South Africans, irrespective of our race, colour, sex or background, continue to live the legacy of Nelson Mandela

Favourite Reading: Documentary and biographies of the World War II and suspense thriller novels

Favourite TV Programme: Discovery Channel – How it is made

Favourite Food/Drink: A real South African braai, with pap and gravy

Favourite Music: Rock n roll and certain genres of heavy metal

Favourite Sport: Motorcycle racing and motocross

Favourite Website: None

Hobbies: Model aircraft, electronic design and prototyping

Car: 2004 model Ford double-cab bakkie

Pets: Two cats

Miscellaneous Dislikes: A person who squanders a shareholder’s investment or cons a shareholder or investor out of their investment

Favourite Other South African Company: Imperial group

Favourite Foreign Company: Mine Safety Appliances and Anglo American

Married: To Francina since 1992

Children: Nicole

Clubs: Previously an amateur radio club, a model aircraft flying club and the Christiaan Motorcycle Association. However, these days I am more focused on my family and attending to our business and shareholders’ interests