Full Name: Derek Halstead-Cleak
Position: CEO of Kwikspace Modular Buildings
Main Activity of the Company: Kwikspace is Africa’s largest manufacturer of prefabricated and modular buildings
Date and Place of Birth: February 20, 1968, Zimbabwe.
Education: BSc (agriculture), MSc (agriculture – animal science), University of KwaZulu-Natal
First Job: Freight forwarding and logistics at UTi (now DSV)
Career History Prior to Current Position: I spent six years at UTi, ending up as GM of the Africa Exports Division; 16 years at Investec, in the principal investments (private equity) division; and two years at Bud Chemicals & Minerals as chief commercial director
Size of First Pay Packet: About R5 000 a month
First Job with Present Group: Nonexecutive director and chairperson
Value of Assets under Your Control: R380-million
Number of People under Your Leadership: More than 400
Management Style: Collaborative, communicative, participative, firm, fair and objective, with emphasis on committed conscientiousness, accountability and results
Personal Best Achievement: Twenty Comrades medals
Professional Best Achievement: Founding Iron Bridge Capital
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My wife, Julia
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Ian Forbes, CEO of the Ferro group of companies and Bud Chemicals & Minerals
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Desmond Tutu
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Investec Bank CEO Stephen Koseff
Philosophy of Life: Time is the real currency of life – we should allocate it, invest it and spend it wisely; relationships are more important than wealth
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Working for UTi in New York in 1995 and 1996
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Being let down by people I trusted and believed in
Hope for the Future: That we, in South Africa, bring corruption under control, generate jobs and economic growth, deliver services, keep the lights on and save our magnificent rhinos
Favourite Reading: Sports autobiographies and Tony Park novels
Favourite TV Programme: SuperSport and Discovery Channel
Favourite Food/Drink: Bacon and eggs or beef fillet/red wine or champagne
Favourite Music: Modern rock and pop
Favourite Sport: Rugby, hockey and cricket
Favourite Website: www.youtube.com
Hobbies: Wildlife, endurance events and playing hockey
Car: Mercedes-Benz
Pets: Two Great Dane dogs
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Green, red and yellow peppers in airline food
Favourite Other South African Company: Roos Foods (a KFC franchisee business)
Favourite Foreign Company: Apple
Married: To Julia, since 1994
Children: Nicholas, 18; Murray, 13
Clubs: Dabulamanzi Canoe Club, The Country Club Johannesburg