Full Name: May-Elaine Thomson
Position and Company Name: CEO at Hogan Lovells (South Africa)
Main Activity of the Company: Offering global legal expertise to our clients
First Job: Information technology administrator in an accounting firm
Number of People under Your Leadership: About 250
Management Style: Open-door policy, hands-on crisis management, team effort
Personal Best Achievement: Becoming the first female CEO of a law firm in South Africa. Over the 20 years that I have worked in our multifaceted law firm, I have overseen and managed the incorporation of our local firm into an international law firm, as part of the 45-plus offices of Hogan Lovells
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My mother
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Dugal Sharp, former Hogan Lovells CEO
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Advocate Thuli Madonsela – I have had the opportunity to meet her at the She-EO SleepOut, but would like another opportunity to engage with her more. I follow her on Twitter and her tweets inspire me. She gives real meaning to leadership challenges and solutions. She inspires women
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Bonang Mohale, CEO of Business Leadership South Africa
Philosophy of Life: Be generous; each one on us is more blessed than another person
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being promoted to COO – this was a platform to showcase my administrative, organisational and communication skills, which meant I was the glue between our professional, legal staff and the support business services
Biggest Ever Disappointment: There are many disappointments in business, some beyond one's control. It is always disappointing to see people who have become part of the family move on
Hope for the Future: I have faith in our democracy
Favourite Reading: Anything motivational or a good forensics novel
Favourite TV Programme: I love any good movie
Favourite Food/Drink: Skinny cappuccino
Favourite Music: I am not a jazz fan – I love everything else
Favourite Sport: Tennis
Hobbies: Walking my dogs, spending time in my garden or just generally anything outdoors. Bootcamp – mmm but that is not a hobby
Car: BMW X1
Pets: Four dogs – Peppa, Biscuit, Bonnie and Brooklyn – and a cat named Abigail
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Greed
Married: To Derek Thomson
Children: Stepdaughter, Bronwyn, 30
Clubs: None