Full Name: David Hugh Brown

Position: Chairperson Coal of Africa Limited (CoAL)

Main Activity of the Company: Coal mining – CoAL is a future coking coal producer

Date and Place of Birth: August 7, 1962, Llandudno, Wales

Education: Matric at Bishop’s (Cape Town), 1980; BCom and CTA, University of Cape Town; CA (SA), 1988

First Job: Articled clerk at Arthur Young, 1984

Size of First Pay Packet: R520 a month

Value of Company Assets: $500-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: About 1 700

Management Style: Hands-on, as I like to lead from the front. Leadership is about building teams by giving more autonomy for team members to shine and develop

Personal Best Achievement: Qualifying as a chartered accountant – it was a relief for my mother and myself

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: John Smithies – a real gentleman but straight to the point when needed

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Nelson Mandela – he showed the way we should act

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Mark Cutifani – he comes across as calm and being in control. He is also willing to share

Philosophy of Life: Every journey begins with a small step . . . so get walking

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Meeting top leaders in business and public life and learning from them

Biggest Ever Disappointment: People who do not do what they say they will do

Hope for the Future: That the people of South Africa get on with achieving what they can – that is, greatness. We must embrace our diversity, as it is our strength. We need to trust one another as government, organised labour and companies if we are to save the mining industry – this is needed now more than ever

Favourite Reading: Economics, history and fiction

Favourite TV Programme: MasterChef Australia

Favourite Food/Drink: Italian food/red wine and the odd whiskey or two

Favourite Music: Most

Favourite Sport: Rugby

Hobbies: Diving, running in an attempt to keep halfway fit. I still like hiking and we did the Inca trail last year as a family

Car: Nissan

Pets: Dogs, cats, fish and horses

Dislikes: Inefficient people

Children: Daniel, 17; Nicole, 13