Full Name: Graham Kerr
Position: CEO of South32
Main Activity of the Company: South32 is a globally diversified metals and mining company with high-quality and well-maintained operations mining and producing bauxite, alumina, aluminium, energy coal, metallurgical coal, manganese, nickel, silver, lead and zinc in Australia, Southern Africa and South America
Date and Place of Birth: Fremantle, Western Australia, April 17, 1971
Education: South Fremantle High School; Bachelor of Business, Edith Cowan University, Perth; Fellow of Certified Public Accountants, Australia
First Job: Digging holes for septic tanks while still at high school
Size of First Pay Packet: $30 for each tank sunk
Value of Assets under Your Control: The market values South32 at around $16-billion (December 2016)
Number of People under Your Leadership: 23 000 (June 30, 2016)
Management Style: Building high-performing teams and delivering great outcomes
Personal Best Achievements: Being part of the team that built the Ekati diamond mine, in Canada, which developed into a highly profitable operation and benefited the indigenous people in one of the world’s most pristine environments; being appointed president of the BHP Billiton Diamond & Specialty Business, which ran Ekati; and creating the potash opportunity in Saskatchewan
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father, an immigrant to Australia from Scotland, who was the hardest-working person I have ever come across
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Marius Kloppers
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: I would have loved to meet the late Nelson Mandela
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Richard Goyder, of Wesfarmers
Philosophy of Life: Leave nothing on the track. You get one crack at life – make the most of it
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Potash and, going forward, South32, where the sky’s the limit
Biggest Ever Disappointment: The death of five people in a helicopter crash during BHP Billiton’s big diamond exploration programme in Angola in 2007
Hope for the Future: That South32 delivers value for its shareholders and makes a positive contribution to all its stakeholders
Favourite Reading: Everything from fiction and biographies to The Economist and newspapers
Favourite TV Programme: The Wire
Favourite Food/Drink: Beer is my favourite drink but I am easy when it comes to food
Favourite Music: U2
Favourite Sport: Australian Rules Football – it is my passion
Hobbies: Kayaking and paddling with the children
Car: Ford Ranger
Pets: Two dogs, two cats and fish
Miscellaneous Dislikes: None
Married: To Nicole
Children: Braden, 18; Rylee, 14; Morgan, 12; Ethan, 9
Clubs: Fremantle Football Club