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