Keith Matthews

28th March 2014 By: Martin Zhuwakinyu - Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

Keith Matthews

Full Name: Keith Matthew

Position: GM of BT sub-Saharan Africa

Main Activity of the Company: Telecommunications and information technology services

Date and Place of Birth: May 22, 1965

Education: I studied electrical engineering

First Job: Bank clerk at Nedbank

Career History Prior to Current Position: I worked for AST Networks, Genesys Telecommunications and Dimension Data

Size of First Pay Packet: R850 a month

First Job with Present Group: Business manager

Value of Assets under Your Control: In line with London Stock Exchange regulations, BT discloses income from geographic regions and not individual countries

Number of People under Your Leadership: 170 nationwide

Management Style: Collaborative

Personal Best Achievement: Albatross on a par 5 hole

Professional Best Achievement: Growing BT South Africa’s revenue by more than 500% over the last five years

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: Jesus Christ

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Giuseppe Arrioti, at Hitachi

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Oliver Edward, author of Flytyers Masterclass

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Andile Ngcaba

Philosophy of Life: Maintain a learning attitude

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Leading BT in this region

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not sinking my birdie putt on the eighth at Copper Leaf

Hope for the Future: That we truly transform as a nation

Favourite Reading: Max du Preez’s A Rumour of Sprin

Favourite TV Programme: The European Golf Tour

Favourite Food/Drink: A good Durban curry/a Diemersdal 8 Rows Sauvignon Blanc

Favourite Music: Blues

Favourite Sport: Golf

Favourite Website: Google

Hobbies: Golf, fly-fishing and guitar playing

Car: Land Rover Defender

Pets: A basset hound, a cat and a leopard skin gecko

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Poor service and bad attitude

Favourite Other South African Company: Teraco

Favourite Foreign Company: Google

Married: To Shelly Anne since 1993

Children: Shannon, 17; Connor, 14

Clubs: World of Golf and corporate member of the Bryanston Country Club