Full Name: Varun Gupta
Position: CEO of JSE-listed Oakbay Resources & Energy
Main Activity of the Company: Oakbay Resources & Energy is a gold and energy-related resources mining company
Date and Place of Birth: July 14, 1986, Baraut, India
Education: Electrical engineering, University of Johannesburg; MBA, University of the Witwatersrand
First Job: Trainee engineer at Sahara Computers
Size of First Pay Packet: R1 000 a month
Value of Assets under Your Control: R24-billion
Number of People under Your Leadership: 1 200
Management Style: Hands-on, with an open-door policy
Personal Best Achievement: Still to come
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My parents, but my father specifically
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Atul Gupta, Oakbay Resources chairperson
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Mahatma Gandhi
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Atul Gupta
Philosophy of Life: Be confident in whatever you do and do not be scared of failure
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Current position as CEO of Oakbay Resources
Biggest Ever Disappointment: None
Hope for the Future: That Oakbay becomes one of South Africa’s mining giants
Favourite Reading: Mining magazines and journals
Favourite TV Programme: Sports channels
Favourite Food/Drink: Indian vegetarian food
Favourite Music: Bollywood music
Favourite Sport: Cricket
Hobbies: Watching sporting events
Car: Porsche
Pets: Two big dogs
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Dishonesty and cheating
Married: To Tanvi
Children: Kanishk, three months old
Clubs: None