Full Name: Marcin Leszek Wertz

Position: Partner/principal mining engineer, head of the Mining Business Unit, SRK Consulting Africa

Main Activity of the Company: Provision of technical advice for the minerals industry

Date and Place of Birth: May 8, 1963, Cape Town

Education: BSc (mining engineering), University of the Witwatersrand, 1984

First Job: Various part-time jobs while at school and university; my first real job was as a graduate mining engineer with De Beers

Career History Prior to Present Position: Various supervisory and planning positions at the Finsch and Koffiefontein diamond mines, from 1987 to 1994; group mining engineer with Messina Investments, 1994/5; mine manager Star Diamonds 1995/6; SRK from 1996

Size of First Pay Packet: R1 972 a month

Value of Assets under Your Control: Not applicable

Number of People under Your Leadership: Between 50 and 60

Management Style: Participative, inclusive, servant leader

Personal Best Achievement: Current position

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

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Oskar Steffen (the ‘S’ in SRK) and a previous boss, Danie Kirsten

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Elon Musk

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Mark Bristow

Philosophy of Life: Treat people with respect, as you would have them treat you; be fair

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being made a partner at SRK

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Nothing comes to mind

Hope for the Future: That South Africa emerges from its current economic and political slump and succeeds on the world stage

Favourite Reading: Science fiction, Robert Ludlum-type thrillers

Favourite TV Programme: Do not watch much TV; some sport and the odd movie

Favourite Food/Drink: I like all food but have a preference for red wine and anything that goes with it, particularly Picanha

Favourite Music: Progressive and experimental rock; I grew up with 70s rock

Favourite Sport: Rugby, cricket, hockey (as father spectator)

Hobbies: Classic cars, music, wine collecting, reading

Car: Alfa Romeo GT and two classics, a 1989 Porsche 944 turbo, a 1989 Lancia Delta Integrale, and an old Nissan Tracker King Cab 4 × 4 bakkie

Pets: Two Labradors and two Jack Russells

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Dishonesty, arrogance

Married: Jennifer (life partner)

Children: Peter, 18; Georgie, 13

Clubs: Various car clubs, gym, wine clubs