Full Name: Henry Maxwell Reitz Jonker

Position: VP for mining and minerals: Europe, Middle East and Africa region at Wood plc

Main Activity of the Company: Providing project solutions for the mining and mineral processing industry – from consulting services to project execution and asset optimisation

Date and Place of Birth: Carletonville, February 9,1969

Education: National higher diploma (electrical engineering), government certificate of competence and MBA

First Job: Learner official, Gold Fields

Career History Prior to Current Position: GM: mining and minerals, WorleyParsons

Size of First Pay Packet: R1 500 a month

First Job with Present Group: Director: project execution

Number of People under Your Leadership: 240

Management Style: Inclusive

Personal Best Achievement: Marrying the best person in the world, and my two lovely daughters

Professional Best Achievement: Successfully building a
mining consultancy firm in Polokwane from scratch

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father, who taught me to work hard, persist and always see life from a positive perspective

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Nigel Townshend, the founder and CEO of TWP

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Richard Branson

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Zack van den Berg, group president of Tecroveer Holdings

Philosophy of Life: Do not overthink it; just get going

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Starting the business in Polokwane

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Nothing comes to mind

Hope for the Future: That South Africa reaches its potential

Favourite Reading: Stieg Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy

Favourite TV Programme: I switched off my DStv some years ago

Favourite Food/Drink: Good red wine with a rare fillet steak

Favourite Music: Classical Sounds

Favourite Sport: Cycling

Favourite Website: News24

Hobbies: Mountain biking, adventure motorcycling

Car: Pajero

Pets: Zoom, my ten-year-old Shar Pei

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Dishonesty

Favourite Other South African Company: Discovery

Favourite Foreign Company: Amazon

Married: To Aneli, since July 23, 1994

Children: Anerique, 21; Jomariet, 19

Clubs: My weekend cycling group