Full Name: Ashish Kumar

Position: CEO of Jindal Africa

Main Activity of the Company: Prospecting, exploration and mining

Date and Place of Birth: January 12, 1970, India

Education: Bachelor of Engineering degree, Thapar Engineering and Technology Institute, Patiala, Punjab, India

First Job: Graduate trainee, Jindal Group, 1992

Career History Prior to Current Position: Various positions within Jindal Steel & Power Limited (JSPL), including plant operations, procurement and materials management; technical assistant to JSPL chairperson and MD Naveen Jindal; and CEO for JSPL’s African operations, Jindal Africa, 2008

Market Value of Jindal Steel & Power Limited: $10-billion

Management Style: Lead by example, encouraging, motivating

Professional Best Achievement: Acquisition of a steel plant in Oman – more is yet to come!

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My wife and parents

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Naveen Jindal

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Nelson Mandela

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Naveen Jindal

Philosophy of Life: Simplicity, integrity and passion

Biggest Ever Opportunity: The opportunity to lead JSPL in Africa

Hope for the Future: Africa is endowed with great mineral wealth and hardworking and committed people. We hope to create long-term relations by creating job opportunities, enriching lives and adding value to both the people and countries we operate in

Favourite TV Programme: Current affairs and sports

Favourite Food/Drink: Indian cuisine

Favourite Music: Indian music/Punjabi

Favourite Sport: Cricket

Hobbies: Travelling

Car: Not important

Pets: Dogs

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Dishonesty

Favourite Other South African Company: No particular favourite

Favourite Foreign Company: Jindal Steel & Power

Married: To Geeta since October 12, 1994

Children: Amol, 16; Akshat, 11

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