Full Name: Simon Smith

Position: MD of Triton-Leo

Main Activity of the Company: Triton-Leo manufactures and sells the Q20 multipurpose lubricant and the Q-range brand of products and, most recently, with the acquisition of Flight Chemical Manufacturers, manufactures and sells the Flight hand cleaner, Flight Spray Klean and M7 degreaser products

Date and Place of Birth: April 20, 1969, Durban

Education: Matric, Westville Boys High School, 1986; forensics, photography and fingerprints, the South Africa Police (1986 to 1989); diploma in marketing management, Damelin, 1990

First Job: Forensic expert and photographer with the South African Police

Career History Prior to Current Position: I joined the Wurth group as a salesperson in 1996 and was the national sales manager for the metal division when I left in 2006 to assume a similar position at Ampaglas, South Africa’s largest extruder of plastic sheeting at the time. I was then appointed the national sales manager for high-power equipment at Hyundai in 2008 but left a year later to take on the challenge of growing Triton-Leo Group’s Q20 brand, both locally and internationally

Size of First Pay Packet: I cleared R650 a month as a police officer but was able to save up to buy my first car, a bright yellow Datsun Pulsar

First Job with Present Group: Marketing manager

Value of Assets under Your Control: About R160-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: 40-plus

Management Style: Relaxed – as long as you are doing your job. I do micromanage, but feel this allows me to keep my finger on the pulse of every aspect of the business

Personal Best Achievement: The birth of my daughter, who has grown into a lovely young lady with a heart of gold

Professional Best Achievement: The awesome growth we are experiencing as a company, both locally and internationally, and the burgeoning international recognition of our proudly South African brand

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

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

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: The Pope

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Elon Musk

Philosophy of Life: You have to have fun and enjoy what you do; do unto others as you would like them to do unto you

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being asked to join Triton-Leo and Q20

Biggest Ever Disappointment: The Sharks, the Springboks and the Proteas . . . I love them, but . . . eish

Hope for the Future: That we get rid of the current racial tensions that are gripping us and seem to be on the rise, and a South Africa that, once again, becomes the land of opportunity for all citizens, regardless of race or religion, a South Africa that is well run (without corruption) and that we can be proud of

Favourite Reading: I read John Grisham and Lee Child, Jack Higgins and David Baldacci, to name a few, and also have a serious love affair with Louis L’Amour, the famous Western writer – I have collected his books for years and now have about 85

Favourite TV Programme: Game of Thrones

Favourite Food/Drink: A good medium rare rump steak with a good Shiraz. I collect single malt whisky and red wine

Favourite Music: Everything from classical to hard rock

Favourite Sport: Rugby, cricket and EFC (cage fighting)

Favourite Website: News24 and Facebook

Hobbies: Photography, reading, fly-fishing, backgammon, Muay Thai

Car: Audi Q5

Pets: Two cats

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Poor service

Favourite Other South African Company: Nando’s

Favourite Foreign Company: Tesla and Virgin

Married: To Cora Isabelle Moea Beauvais

Children: Mieka Isabelle, 15

Clubs: Lions Club Pretoria City