Full Name: Pherdy William le Roux
Position: MD of GVK-Siya Zama Building Contractors Gauteng
Main Activity of the Company: Construction
Date and Place of Birth: August 15, 1982, Pretoria
Education: Diploma in building science and various executive development qualifications
First Job: Junior quantity surveyor
Career History Prior to Current Position: I held various positions in the construction industry, before joining GVK-Siya Zama as contracts manager; later I was promoted to contracts director and subsequently MD
Size of First Pay Packet: R3 000 a month
First Job with Present Group: Contracts manager
Value of Assets under Your Control: Turnover of R1-billion a year
Number of People under Your Leadership: 180
Management Style: Consultative
Personal Best Achievement: Improved self-awareness after facing difficult challenges in my life
Professional Best Achievement: Appointment as divisional head of a listed company at the age of 30 and my recent appointment as MD
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Joe Rader
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Elon Musk
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Patrice Motsepe
Philosophy of Life: Commitment, resilience and perseverance will take you far
Biggest Ever Opportunity: The opportunity to work overseas – I was selected over numerous candidates
Biggest Ever Disappointment: The current state of the construction industry in South Africa, where so many construction businesses are closing down
Hope for the Future: Economic stability in South Africa
Favourite Reading: Nonfiction, Popular Mechanics and other interesting magazines
Favourite TV Programme: Discovery Channel
Favourite Food/Drink: Anything Jamie Oliver – I am a fan; red wine
Favourite Music: Acoustic music – Dave Matthews Band, Jack Johnson, David Gray and John Mayer
Favourite Sport: Golf
Favourite Website: LinkedIn, Mental Floss
Hobbies: Golf and fly-fishing
Car: Toyota Fortuner
Pets: A Weimaraner
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Tomatoes
Favourite Other South African Company: The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
Favourite Foreign Company: Virgin
Married: Divorced
Children: Cailyn Janet, 11; Connor William, 9
Clubs: Project Management Professionals