Full Name: Loucas Christos Pouroulis

Position: Executive chairperson of Tharisa

Main Activity of Company: Prospecting, mining and refining

Date and Place of Birth: October 16, 1938, Cyprus

Education: BSc degree in mining and metallurgy, National Technical University, Athens, Greece, 1962

First Job: Assistant manager, Kalavassos copper mine, Cyprus, 1962

Size of First Pay Packet: 60 Cypriot pounds (then R120)

First Job with Present Group: Founder, 1980

Value of Assets under Your Control: No idea

Number of People under Your Leadership: 2 000

Management Style: Entrepreneurial, innovative and hands-on

Personal Best Achievement: My family

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

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My family

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Douglas MacArthur

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: The businessperson who succeeds against great odds

Philosophy of Life: Be humble but do not let anybody walk over you

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Eland Platinum

Biggest Ever Disappointment: My parents not being alive to share my success

Hope for the Future: That South Africa creates a sufficient number of jobs

Favourite Reading: History

Favourite TV Programme: News

Favourite Food/Drink: Fish/South African red wine

Favourite Music: Folk music from all countries

Hobbies: Gardening

Car: I do not drive

Pets: Maltese poodles

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Incompetence and insincerity

Favourite Other South African Company: Petra Diamonds

Favourite Foreign Company: There are too many

Married: To Artemis Panayotou since 1965

Children: Salome, 45; Helene, 43; Adonis, 41; Phoevos, 37

Clubs: None

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