Full Name: Milé Sofijanic
Position and Company Name: MD of ECS Associates
Main Activity of the Company: ECS Associates is a contract and project management consulting, advisory services and training company
Date and Place of Birth: May 27, 1965, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Schools and Tertiary Education: BSc (Mechanical Engineering), University of Sarajevo; Halliburton Business Leadership Development Programme, Mays Business School, A&M University, College Station, Texas, US; PrEng
First Job: Junior engineer at the Volkswagen car factory in Sarajevo
Size of First Pay Packet: The equivalent of €1 000 a month, in 1990
Career Path to Date: I moved to Southern Africa in 1992, owing to the civil war in Bosnia, and worked at Kentz in Botswana and South Africa as project engineer, after which I joined Kellog Brown & Root in Johannesburg in 1996, becoming MD in 2005. I then worked for Murray & Roberts from 2008 until 2015, before joining ECS Associates
Value of Assets under Your Control: People are our greatest assets, and they are not under my control. However, from time to time, I provide some direction in the engineering and construction business, based on the lessons I have learnt
Number of People under Your Leadership: More than 50
Management Style: Collaborative, participative and engaging
Personal Best Achievement: Every time I give hope to those listening to me
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My family
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My colleagues
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Nelson Mandela
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Former Bigen Africa CEO Dr Snowy Khoza
Philosophy of Life: Everyone has something to be respected for
Biggest Ever Opportunity: To establish my family and career in Southern Africa
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Believing that life is fair to everyone
Hope for the Future: That South Africa unlocks its great potential and provides a better life for all
Favourite Reading: Novels based on historical events
Favourite TV Programme: Sporting events
Favourite Food/Drink: Mediterranean and Asian cuisine
Favourite Music: 80s
Favourite Sport: Football
Hobbies: Visit to nature, travel and social sport
Car: Any, if I have to use one
Pets: Not anymore
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Pettiness and bickering
Married: To Ranka
Children: Ana, 28; Marko, 25
Clubs: Still choosing