Full Name: Keith Rankin
Position: CEO of Avis Rent a Car Southern Africa
Main Activity of the Company: Car rental
Date and Place Of Birth: February 24, 1970, in Paarl
Education: Matric, Paarl Boys High; BCom (Hons), Stellenbosch University
First Job: Planning analyst for the Stellenbosch Farmers Winery
Size of First Pay Packet: Not statedFirst Job with Present Group: Financial planning
Career History Prior to Current Position: I began my career as a junior lecturer at the Financial Management and Business Economics Department at Stellenbosch University in 1995. In 1996, I moved on to become a planning analyst for the Stellenbosch Farmers Winery. I joined the National Electricity Regulator in 1997, where I worked for a year, before moving to Avis in 1998 to head up the financial planning department. In 2000, I was involved in the purchase of the Avis business in Norway and Sweden and was seconded to Sweden for an 18-month period. In 2002, I was appointed director of Avis Rent a Car South Africa, in charge of all regional countries. In 2004, I was appointed CEO of Avis Rent a Car Southern Africa
Value of Assets under Your Control: R3-billion
Number of People under Your Leadership: 2 000
Management Style: Servant leadership style
Personal Best Achievement: Our two children
Professional Best Achievement: Being given the responsibility to lead the Avis brand in Southern Africa
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My Wife
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Glenn van Heerden, the cofounder of Avis Southern Africa
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Nelson Mandela
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Steve Jobs
Philosophy of Life: You have to have fun. If you are not having fun, then you should be doing something else
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being a father and being able to shape my children’s lives
Biggest Ever Disappointment: That my parents never met their grandchildren
Hope for the Future: That every South African will have the opportunity to live a high-quality life
Favourite Reading: I like reading news on the Internet from around the world
Favourite TV Programme: I love the CSI series
Favourite Food/Drink: Lamb chops/a good bottle of Sauvignon Blanc
Favourite Music: Nothing specific – it depends on the mood
Favourite Sport: Golf and rugby
Favourite Website: News sites
Hobbies: Playing golf and watching rugby
Car: Land Rover Discovery
Pets: My dachshund, Jaime
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Loud and arrogant people
Favourite Other South African Company: SABMiller
Favourite Foreign Company: Apple
Married: To Beritha
Children: Cady, 7; Patrick, 6
Clubs: I don’t like clubs