Full Name: Alastair Macduff
Position: Founding partner of Unleash Consulting and chairperson and CEO of the Turnaround Management Association (TMA) chapter in South Africa (TMA-SA)
Main Activity of the Company: The TMA-SA is involved in the turnaround and business recovery of distressed companies
Date and Place of Birth: October 25, 1946, Cape Town
Education: BCom, University of the Witwatersrand; CA(SA)
First Job: Audit clerk
Career History Prior to Current Position: I spent ten years in international trade finance, ending as international marketing director. This was followed by small and medium-sized enterprise consulting in South Africa and Australia, specialising in the turnaround of distressed businesses
Size of First Pay Packet: R110 a month, in 1964
First Job with Present Group: Marketing director
Number of People under Your Leadership: 20
Management Style: Collaborative – until it becomes necessary to be authoritative
Personal Best Achievement: My children and grandchildren
Professional Best Achievement: Building the TMA into a nationally recognised association and a force to be reckoned with
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My grandfather
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My father
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Winston Churchill
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Harry Oppenheimer
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Returning to South Africa to start Unleash Consulting and run the TMA-SA
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Lack of leadership and State capture
Hope for the Future: A turnaround in South Africa
Favourite Reading: Crime fiction
Favourite TV Programme: Nordic noir (The Bridge or Borgen)
Favourite Food/Drink: Single-malt whisky
Favourite Music: Classical
Favourite Sport: Cricket and rugby
Favourite Website: The Guardian and Hornby Model Railway
Hobbies: Enjoying South African birdlife and building model railways – I am also a steam train enthusiast
Car: Toyota
Pets: Koi
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Corruption, inefficiency and pessimism
Favourite Other South African Company: SABMiller
Favourite Foreign Company: Amazon
Married: To Jane
Children: Two boys, Andrew and Duncan
Clubs: Johannesburg Country Club and Rand Club