Full Name: Timothy Hansen White
Position: Cofounder and CEO of Profica
Main Activity of the Company: Property and construction solutions
Date and Place of Birth: July 1973, Johannesburg
Education: BSc (Hons) (civil engineering), University of Cape Town; UK project management qualification
First Job: Working in my brother-in-law’s factory during school holidays, and then university vacation work on the N1 highway, in the Free State.
Career History Prior to Current Position: I spent four years managing and building roads and working on infrastructure projects in the North West, Limpopo and Mpumalanga. This was followed by another four years in London, where I managed iconic building projects in the city. When I returned to South Africa, I had a stint with a listed construction company, before cofounding Profica
Size of First Pay Packet: Less than R5 000 a month – after graduation
First Job with Present Group: Cofounder, 15 years ago
Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated
Number of People under Your Leadership: Over 70
Management Style: I am a service-focused leader and support my team to meet their potential
Personal Best Achievement: Probably reaching three of the seven summits
Professional Best Achievement: Being where I am right now
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: Several people over the years
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Not any one person, but, in the early days, it was Brent Harris, who conceptualised and set up Profica with me
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Siya Kolisi (who else!)
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Aliko Dangote
Philosophy of Life: What you put in is what you get out
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Starting Profica
Biggest Ever Disappointment: A few, but, strangely, they all morphed into opportunities later
Hope for the Future: That my country and its people continue to work together and grow together for the good of all
Favourite Reading: Generally, books associated with mountaineering (during holidays) and business and leadership books (during the year)
Favourite TV Programme: Blue Bloods
Favourite Food/Drink: Braai
Favourite Music: Quite varied – different music for different moods
Favourite Sport: Canoeing
Favourite Website: Pass
Hobbies: Canoeing and trail running
Car: A 2009 Toyota Prado with long-range tanks
Pets: One Jack Russel and one pavement special
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Vegetables
Favourite Other South African Company: Discovery, although I am not a client of the company – I like it more for its leader
Favourite Foreign Company: Amazon
Married: To Susan Pearson, since 2005
Children: Cameron, 10; Chris, 12
Clubs: Dabulamanzi Canoe Club