Full Name: Mark Wilson
Position: MD of Syspro Africa
Main Activity of the Company: Syspro is an enterprise resource planning solutions provider
Date and Place of Birth: February 4, 1967
Education: Chartered Institute of Management Accountants qualification, which was completed in 1993
First Job: Costing clerk at Saftainer
Career History Prior to Current Position: A total of 21 years’ continuous employment – from Siemens to Fujitsu Siemens Computers and, finally, Fujitsu
Size of First Pay Packet: R1 500 a month
First Job with Present Group: Current position
Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated
Number of People under Your Leadership: Not stated
Management Style: I have a democratic leadership style, which, I believe, leads to higher motivation and improved morale, increased cooperation between staff and management, improved job performance and a reduction in grievances, absenteeism and employee turnover
Personal Best Achievement: Friendships that have spanned many decades and a supportive, wonderful wife who has given me two children
Professional Best Achievement: Being appointed VP of a large multinational, with responsibility for various regions
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My parents, both of whom have strong values but different life philosophies, which allowed me to see life from different viewpoints and help me draw my own conclusion
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Two people who created the opportunity for me to be a very young MD and, above all, empowered me
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Ernie Els, a true professional who has not forgotten his roots and is truly a global ambassador for South Africa. The work he is doing with his Autism Foundation is inspirational
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Steve Jobs
Philosophy of Life: Set a goal and persevere – persevere until you achieve
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being the VP of a multinational overseeing various regions
Biggest Ever Disappointment: As you go through life, there are many disappointments, depending on the stage of your life. As they come up, put them down to lessons learnt and move on
Hope for the Future: I truly believe in the future of this country, and its people give me hope with their day-to-day aspiration and empathy to make the environment we live in a better place
Favourite Reading: Easy reading – Lee Child fits into that space
Favourite TV programme: I rarely seriously watch TV, but, when I do, I tend to like BBC shows like George Gently and Vera
Favourite Food/Drink: Fine dining, especially when it is accompanied by a good bottle of wine
Favourite Music: Everything from Johnny Cash to the Pogues to Pink
Favourite Sport: Football, especially the English Premier Soccer League
Favourite Website: The Financial Times
Hobbies: Golf
Car: Mercedes-Benz Convertible
Pets: Two dogs
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Negative people
Favourite Other South African Company: The manufacturers that survive and succeed while government ignores the Asian invasion into the South African market
Favourite Foreign Company: Any business that is driving disruption in the market and will forever change the world
Married: To Sandra Pereira
Children: Julian, 12; Bela, 11
Clubs: Not stated