Full Name: Simon Andrews
Position: VP: sales, Sandvik Mining & Rock Technology Southern Africa
Main Activity of the Company: Sales and support, focusing on customer solutions in the mining and construction industries
Date and Place of Birth: April 8, 1964, UK
Education: National higher diploma (coal mining); mine manager’s certificate of competence (coal); MBL, University of South Africa
First Job: Learner official, Rand Mines
Size of First Pay Packet: R702 a month
Value of Assets under Your Control: R1-billion
Number of People under Your Leadership: 2 000
Management Style: Open and participative
Personal Best Achievement: Completing my MBL
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Henry du Toit, former mine captain at Douglas Colliery
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Pelé
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Richard Branson
Philosophy of Life: Live to fight another day
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Taking over the Southern Africa role
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Downsizing
Hope for the Future: Upsizing in a big way
Favourite Reading: Andy McNab
Favourite TV Programme: None
Favourite Food/Drink: Pretty well everything
Favourite Music: Queen
Favourite Sport: Football
Hobbies: Shooting
Car: Audi
Pets: Oh yes, a crazy cat and a couple of loving dogs
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Stupidity and arrogance
Married: To Mann
Children: Liam, 22; Mia, 18
Clubs/Organisations: SACMA, SAIMM, SACPS