John Watson
Full Name: John Watson
Position: Regional commercial director for Africa, GE Mining
Main Activity of the Company: US multinational GE, which employs 305 000 professionals globally, has a suite of products that increase the efficiency and productivity of greenfield and existing mine sites in Africa by offering baseload gas, diesel and renewable power electrification solutions, along with smart grid technology that reduces overall project cost; mine/process optimisation on the industrial Internet, water purification technologies and industrial locomotives are also offered
Date and Place of Birth: May 27, 1971, Durban
Education: NHD (metallurgical engineering)
First Job: Plant metallurgist, Anglo American
Size of First Pay Packet: R5 000 a month
Number of People under Your Leadership: Eight employees
Management Style: Hands-on, leading from the front
Personal Best Achievement: My family
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My wife, Ronel
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: All my entrepreneur friends (“the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world are the ones who do” – Steve Jobs)
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Jony Ive, head of design at Apple
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, Solar City
Philosophy of Life: Lean into God daily
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Growing GE Mining into Africa, the Middle East and Europe
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not making more time for my family
Hope for the Future: Sustainable powering up of Africa’s economy
Favourite Reading: Overland journals, tech blogs
Favourite TV Programme: QI on BBC
Favourite Food/Drink: Karoo lamb/vintage red wine
Favourite Music: Dire Straits, U2
Favourite Sports: Athletics, cycling
Hobbies: Mountain biking with my wife, exploring the road less travelled
Car: Honda
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Arrogance, dishonesty
Married: To Ronel
Children: Ethan, 17, and Camdon, 14
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