Full Name: Jonathan Georges Hericourt

Position and Company Name: VP: operations at Gold One Group

Main Activity of the Company: Gold mining on the East Rand basin, in South Africa

Date and Place of Birth: May, 24,1961. Tema, Ghana

Education: BSc (mining engineering), Cardiff University, Wales

First Job: Graduate learner mining engineer at Gencor's Grootvlei Proprietary Mines, in Springs, South Africa

Size of First Pay Packet: R1 050 a month

Value of Assets under Your Control: R7-billion

Number of People under Your Leadership: 2 400

Management Style: Participative, team building/coaching and leading by example

Personal Best Achievement: Record yearly bauxite production for Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinée in Guinea (14.7-million tons shipped) after 35 years in operation; zero lost-time injuries for the year and a record profit of $234-million

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

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: John Bredenhann and Bruce Lutman

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Nelson Mandela (too late), Richard Branson

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Richard Branson

Philosophy of Life: Life is too short – enjoy it and make the most of your opportunities

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Managing a large bauxite mining and exporting operation in West Africa on behalf of a consortium of international shareholders and the local government

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Modern medicine failing to save my wife from cancer

Hope for the Future: Health, happiness and security

Favourite Reading: American classics The Catcher in the Rye, by JD Salinger, and To Kill a Mocking Bird, by Harper Lee; detective thrillers by Ian Rankin; and thrillers by Stephen King

Favourite TV Programme: Wildlife documentaries, Midsomer Murders and The Big Bang Theory

Favourite Food/Drink: Indian food and a good beer

Favourite Music: 1980s music, David Bowie and British rock bands Coldplay and Queen

Favourite Sport: Rugby

Hobbies: Fishing, cycling, water sports and woodwork

Car: Toyota Fortuner 4 × 4

Pets: Two dogs and five cats

Miscellaneous Dislikes: People who do not understand the meaning of 'being brief' and 'to the point'

Married: Widower

Children: Chloe, 24; Nikita, 23; Nathan, 19

Clubs: Breakfast Club