Full Name: Kevin Hardy
Position: MD for BT in Africa
Main Activity of the Company: Telecommunications
Date and Place of Birth: September 13, 1975, Johannesburg
Education: BCom (Hons) (business management), University of Port Elizabeth
First Job: Accountant for the BBC in London
Career History Prior to Current Position: I worked for Dimension Data in GM roles from 1998 to 2011 and also spent some time working at Aspivia as sales director. Prior to moving to BT in 2014, I was with Cisco Systems, working in various roles
Size of First Pay Packet: At my first job, in London, my first pay cheque was £1 200 a month
First Job with Present Group: Sales director
Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated
Number of People under Your Leadership: 230
Management Style: Dynamic, direct and consistent
Personal Best Achievement: Convincing my wife to marry me
Professional Best Achievement: I have focused hard on developing a network and have retained many of the professional relationships I have built throughout my career
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Dimension Data Group CEO Jason Goodall
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Nelson Mandela
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Jason Goodall
Philosophy of Life: Live life for today and have no regrets
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Leading BT and the brand’s growth in Africa, a region that is characterised by many complexities and opportunities
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not pursuing a professional golfing career
Hope for the Future: That South Africa continues to grow and becomes an even greater and stronger country
Favourite Reading: Biographies of successful business leaders
Favourite TV Programme: The Blacklist
Favourite Food/Drink: A good roast leg of lamb/a good single-malt whiskey
Favourite Music: Pop
Favourite Sport: Golf
Favourite Website: The Economist
Hobbies: I am a sports fan and enjoy all sports, including golf, rugby and tennis
Car: Toyota Land Cruiser
Pets: Two dogs and a cat
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Dishonesty and arrogance
Favourite Other South African Company: Sasol
Favourite Foreign Company: Coca-Cola
Married: I am happily married
Children: Two girls and a boy
Clubs: The Johannesburg Country Club and the Leopard Creek Country Club