Full name: Hermanus Jacobus Kriel (Manie)
Position: CEO of VBKom Consulting Engineers
Main Activity of Company: Consulting to the mining industry
Date and Place of Birth: September 13, 1970, Johannesburg
Education: BEng (Mining), University of Pretoria, 1994; MBL, University of South Africa, 2001
First Job: Mining engineer, Vaal Reefs No 5 Shaft
Size of First Pay Packet: R2 300
Value of the Assets Under Your Control: Human assets (priceless)
Number of People under Your Leadership: 32
Management Style: Consultative and serving
Personal Best Achievement: Becoming general mine manager at the age of 35
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Peter Short (Samancor)
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Marius Kloppers (former CEO BHP Billiton)
Person Who Has Impressed You Most: Johan Rupert and my dad for his generosity and unending ability to work hard
Philosophy of Life: Commitment brings reward. Surrounding myself with people with greater potential than myself will ensure that I continue to grow
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Starting VBKom Consulting Engineers with my four extraordinary partners and friends
Biggest Ever Disappointment: None . . . Really!
Hope for the Future: That Africa and its people will prosper in the next 10 to 50 years
Favourite Reading: Leadership and business writing
Favourite TV Programme: Big Bang Theory and Suits
Favourite Food/Drink: Leg of lamb prepared by my wife and a Merlot
Favourite Music: Billy Joel, Bryan Adams, Rod Steward, Norah Jones, Tracy Chapman
Favourite Sport: Blue Bulls rugby
Hobbies: Golf, reading, kayaking
Car: Jeep Cherokee
Pets: Three beagle dogs
Dislikes: Unfairness and discrimination
Married: To Marilee
Children: Lisanne, 4
Clubs: Observatory Golf Club