Full Name: Ryan Dennis Beech
Position: MD and chief roboticist of Ryonic Robotics
Main Activity of the Company: Ryonic Robotics designs and develops robotics for use in the mining industry
Date and Place of Birth: May 23, 1979, Johannesburg
Education: Civil engineering and mechatronic engineering
First Job: GM of family business
Size of First Pay Packet: I cannot remember
Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated
Number of People under Your Leadership: 20
Management Style: Run things mean and lean
Personal Best Achievement: Exporting our locally developed robots internationally and being the founder of the company
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: Various important people I have met along the way have had significant influences on me
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Myself
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Elon Musk
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Elon Musk
Philosophy of Life: What is impossible for some is simply a challenge to others
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Entering the international robotics industry
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Every time we do not win the rugby World Cup
Hope for the Future: That Africa becomes a formidable player in the international technology industry
Favourite Reading: Anything technical
Favourite TV Programme: I do not watch TV at all
Favourite Food/Drink: Melanzane parmigiana
Favourite Music: Classical
Favourite Sport: Rugby
Hobbies: I build robots for a living – my work is my hobby
Car: Jeep
Pets: None
Miscellaneous Dislikes: People who are not productive
Married: To Othelia
Children: Olivia, 3 years; Aryana, 6 months
Clubs: None