Full Name: Anton Wheeler
Position: MD of Aard Mining Equipment
Main Activity of the Company: Designing, manufacturing and supplying trackless mobile mining machinery to underground mines in sub-Saharan Africa
Date and Place of Birth: September 19, 1958, Johannesburg
Education: National higher diploma in metalliferous mining
First Job: Learner official
Size of First Pay Packet: R500 a month
Value of Assets under Your Control: Invaluable human capital
Number of People under Your Leadership: 230
Management Style: I am a consultative leader
Personal Best Achievement: Being appointed COO of Zimplats and MD of Aquarius Platinum South Africa
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My mother and my wife
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: I was fortunate to grow my career at Implats, which has great leaders; all of them influenced my career in a positive manner
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Cyril Ramaphosa, on his view about the future of South Africa
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Sir Richard Branson. He had the courage and ability to take on big companies
Philosophy of Life: Identify the strengths of people and use them to the benefit of your company
Biggest Ever Opportunity: To change from managing a mining company to managing an industrial manufacturing company
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not starting flying earlier in my life
Hope For the Future: That government, labour and mining companies solve their disputes and work together to make South Africa one of the most prosperous mining countries in the world once again
Favourite Reading: Mining Weekly, aviation magazines, David Baldacci, John Grisham and Deon Meyer
Favourite TV Programme: The Aviators and sport
Favourite Food/Drink: Braai/a good red wine
Favourite Music: From rock to country
Favourite Sport: Rugby, cricket and cycling
Hobbies: Flying
Car: Mercedes-Benz 220
Pets: A black cat called Peanut
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Corruption and dishonesty – these will destroy our society
Married: To Annemarie
Children: Grant, 30
Clubs: Krugersdorp Flying Club