Full Name: Adam Richard Fleming

Link to Ian Fleming, Author of James Bond Spy Novels: Ian Fleming was my father’s elder brother

Position: Chairperson of Wits Gold, listed on the JSE; chairperson of The Johannesburg Land Company; director of Zambeef Products plc, Zambia; involved in farming in Zambia and South Africa; nonexecutive chairperson of Fleming Family & Partners, UK

Main Activity of the Wits Gold: Exploration and mine development

Date and Place of Birth: May 15, 1948, London

Education: Eton College

First Job: Stock exchange analyst, Robert Fleming, 1970

Size of First Pay Packet: £7 a week
 

Value of Assets under Your Control: Not nothing, but nothing great. The progress has been forward, with a lot of ups and downs. Wits Gold’s market capitalisation is $30-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: About 500

Management Style: The less managing I do, the better for all concerned. I am really just a long-term investor with firm beliefs in gold,

food security through agriculture, and property

Personal Best Achievement: Victor ludorum, Abberley Hall Preparatory School, Worcestershire, aged eight. It’s been downhill ever since

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father, Richard

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: John Manser, SABMiller plc

People You Would Most Like to Meet: I have met them – Nelson Mandela and FW De Klerk

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Meyer Kahn

Philosophy of Life: Do as you would be done by

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Wits Gold’s asset acquisitions

Biggest Ever Disappointment: My exam results at Eton

Hope for the Future: That South Africa continues to power ahead

Favourite Reading: Gloom Boom & Doom Report by Dr Marc Faber

Favourite TV Programme: Dragon’s Den

Favourite Food/Drink: Red wine and ‘slap’ chips

Favourite Music: Most classical music

Favourite Sport: Rugby

Hobbies: Looking after the farm at home in the Cotswolds

Car: I have several clapped-out old cars but my favourite is a 1922 4.5 ∙ Bentley, which makes a noise like a hurricane

Pets: Dogs – they are humans in a leather cage. When you go to heaven, you’ll meet your dogs

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Listening to economists

Married: To Caroline Wake – the best decision I ever made

Children: Hector, 31; Nell, 27; Angus, 25; Dickon, 18

Clubs: White’s Club, London; Rand Club, Johannesburg

Quotable Quote: I have seven brothers and sisters, which must be a Protestant world record