Full Name: Dr John William Bristow
Position: COO of Incubex Minerals
Main Activity of the Company: Multicommodity mineral exploration and development
Date and Place of Birth: July 19, 1952, Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal
Education: Matric, Estcourt High School; BSc (Hons) and MSc degrees in geology, University of Natal; PhD, University of Cape Town
First Job: Geologist with De Beers
Size of First Pay Packet: About R5 000 a month
Value of Company Assets: R100-million
Number of People under Your Leadership: Five, plus contractors, as needed
Management Style: I set goals, lead by example and allow and encourage self-expression and development
Personal Best Achievements: Developing two successful alluvial diamond mining companies, Gem Diamonds, in 1998, and Rockwell, in 2006
Persons Who Have Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My parents
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: US President Barack Obama
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Steve Jobs
Philosophy of Life: Work hard, look forward and stay humble
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Developing a unique micromineral (perovskite) age-dating technique at the Research School of Earth Sciences (RSES), Australian National University, Canberra, with Hugh Allsopp (Bernard Price Institute, University of the Witwatersrand) and Bill Compston (RSES) in the 1980s, courtesy of De Beers
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Playing cricket in the 1970s with world-class players who would never have the opportunity to take on and beat the world’s best players
Hope for the Future: A prosperous and dynamic South Africa
Favourite Reading: Old books about Southern African pioneers, particularly early prospectors and miners
Favourite TV Programme: National Geographic
Favourite Food/Drink: Curry, dorado (fish)/red wine
Favourite Music: Classic rock, classical music
Favourite Sport: Kayaking, following cricket
Hobbies: Fly-fishing, walking in the outdoors, cycling, travelling, reading, music
Car: Audi A4 Quattro
Pets: German short-haired pointer cross Labrador
Dislikes: Arrogance, entitlement and the litter that spoils our exceptional country
Clubs: Kimberley Club