Full Name: Neil Cameron
Position: Area GM at Johnson Controls Building Efficiency Africa (JCBEA)
Main Activity of the Company: JCBEA is a provider of equipment, controls and services for heating, ventilating, air conditioning, refrigeration and security systems. We deliver products, services and solutions that increase energy efficiency and lower operating costs in buildings for more than one-million customers
Date and Place of Birth: January 10, 1969, Johannesburg
Education: University of Pretoria, MSc, BSc (Hon) and BTech
First Job: Toy packer at Game Store
Career History Prior to Current Position: I was previously an engineering specialist at the SABC
Size of First Pay Packet: R400 a month
First Job with Present Group: Divisional manager: controls, responsible for bringing innovative solutions into African markets
Value of Assets under Your Control: R600-million
Number of People under Your Leadership: 200 – in South Africa, the UK and France
Management Style: I create goals for staff while supporting them and having a high level of expectation and support from each member
Personal Best Achievement: Receiving the highest marks in South Africa for all three of my degrees and coming fourth in South Africa for Motor-X
Professional Best Achievement: In 2012, we achieved the group’s highest profit for developing markets
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My Motor-X coach – he corrected some of my wayward ways.
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Agostino Renna, when he was the sales VP for Johnson Controls Europe, Middle East and Africa
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Jack Welsh
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: John Reed, a former GM at Johnson Controls
Philosophy of Life: Hardship often prepares an ordinary person for an extraordinary destiny – CS Lewis
Biggest Ever Opportunity: I am still waiting for it
Biggest Ever Disappointment: I am still waiting for that too
Hope for the Future: That crime in South Africa is reduced significantly and that the country develops its infrastructure to become a world-leading economy
Favourite Reading: David Gemmel for leisure reading and Jim Collins or Stephen Covey for more work-related reading
Favourite TV Programme: Top Gear and ESPN
Favourite Food/Drink: Chateaubriand steak (rare) and a glass of good red wine
Favourite Music: Dire Straits
Favourite Sport: Motor-X or any game played by the Springboks, Proteas or Bafana Bafana
Favourite Website: www.news24.co.za and businessday.co.za
Hobbies: Listening to 1980s music in the company of friends
Car: Land Rover Discovery
Pets: Two cats, two dogs and a snake
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Negativity
Favourite Other South African Company: Bidvest or the Imperial group
Favourite Foreign Company: Google
Married: To Noleen, since 1991
Children: Scott, 18; Tyron, 15; Mitchell, 10
Clubs: Virgin Active