Full Name: Kim Alatna Schoepflin
Position: CEO of Kwatani, previously known as Joest
Main Activity of the Company: Engineering and manufacturing of custom vibratory equipment
Date and Place of Birth: March 18, 1973, Johannesburg
Education: Bachelor of European Business in International Business Management (honours, cum laude), with dual graduation in Germany and the UK; BCom (Hons), University of the Witwatersrand
First Job: McKinsey & Company, September 1, 1999
Career History Prior to Current Position: I started my career in corporate finance and strategy consulting at McKinsey and later moved into mergers and acquisitions at Deutsche Bank, in Germany. I took on a position as corporate development manager at speciality chemicals company Cognis, where I was subsequently appointed European marketing manager of the company’s nutrition and health division. In 2009, I returned home to South Africa to join Kwatani (then called Joest) as financial director
Size of First Pay Packet: I cannot remember, but it was in Deutsche marks and I was very proud of myself at the time
First Job with Present Group: Financial director
Value of Assets under Your Control: R200-million
Number of People under Your Leadership: About 200
Management Style: Depending on the situation, authoritative to transformational
Personal Best Achievement: Three happy children
Professional Best Achievement: I hope that it still lies ahead
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father – he taught me “to find yourself, think for yourself”
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My family – they ground me
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: None
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Richard Branson
Philosophy of Life: All or nothing
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Moving back to South Africa
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Politicians
Hope for the Future: “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today” (Malcolm X)
Favourite Reading: Scandinavian mystery fiction
Favourite TV Programme: Not interested
Favourite Food/Drink: Fresh fish and Sauvignon Blanc
Favourite Music: Rock
Favourite Sport: Tennis
Favourite Website: Google
Hobbies: My children; when I have time, I love to travel
Car: BMW X6
Pets: One Fila Brasilerio (Brazilian Mastiff) and millions of bees
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Complacency and sweet wine
Favourite Other South African Company: U-Cook – organic food delivered to your doorstep
Favourite Foreign Company: Apple, only because I am a fan
Clubs: The gym, but only sometimes