Full Name: Erik Roos
Position: CEO of Pharma Dynamics
Main Activity of the Company: Pharma Dynamics is a generic pharmaceuticals company
Date and Place of Birth: April 14, 1969, Klerksdorp, North West province
Education: Honours degree in sports science, business, management, marketing and related support services
First Job: Pharmaceuticals sales representative
Career History Prior to Current Position: MD of Mylan and divisional head of GSK/Aspen
Size of First Pay Packet: R12 000 a month as a pharmaceuticals sales representative in 1994
First Job with Present Group: CEO
Value of Assets under Your Control: Yearly revenue of about R1.5-billion
Number of People under Your Leadership: 167
Management Style: An open, consultative management style that rests on a mentorship relationship
Personal Best Achievement: I pride myself on maintaining a healthy work-life balance by spending quality time with family
Professional Best Achievement: Steering Pharma Dynamics past the magic R1-billion turnover mark by achieving a 15% yearly growth rate
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: Dr Christo Botha – he acted as my life coach and mentor and had a significant impact on my way of thinking and my overall life philosophy
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Industrial psychologist and career coach Heidi Carter, who is cofounder of the Centre for Conscious Leadership, which taught me to facilitate a culture of mindful awareness that maximises the potential of each individual in order to inspire confidence, growth and high performance
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Johan Rupert
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Aspen founder and Global CEO Stephen Saad
Philosophy of Life: “Everybody is a genius, but, if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid” – Albert Einstein
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being appointed Pharma Dynamics CEO in October 2015
Biggest Ever Disappointment: There have been many minor setbacks in my professional life, but I cannot say I am disappointed about anything in particular
Favourite Reading: It’s Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy, by Captain D Michael Abrashoff
Favourite TV Programme: The television series Billions, which was created by Brian Koppelman, David Levien and Andrew Ross Sorkin
Favourite Food/Drink: Nothing beats a good bottle of red wine with good-quality steak
Favourite Music: Reggae, folk and alternative rock
Favourite Sport: Rugby (watching)
Hobbies: Golf
Car: Audi
Pets: Two Great Danes
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Bureaucracy and emotional decision-making
Favourite Other South African Company: Investec – I like the company’s bold marketing strategy and out-of-the-box thinking
Favourite Foreign Company: Tesla – for its innovative nature
Married: To Vanessa Roos, since 1997
Children: I have two sons aged 18 and 6 and a 15-year-old daughter
Clubs: Not stated