Full Name: Ian Timothy Harebottle

Position: Former CEO of Gemfields, who stepped down in July, 2017

Main Activity of the Company: Coloured gemstone mining and promotion

Date and Place of Birth: Johannesburg, October 29, 1962

Education: Germiston High School, 1980; Technikon Witwatersrand, 1985; Henley Management College, 1994

First Job: I tried to work most holidays and on many weekends throughout my school and tertiary learning days; jobs ranged from door-to-door encyclopedia sales to general reception work and deliveries

Size of First Pay Packet: Just enough to see us through the weekend

Market Capitalisation: About $112-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: Just under 1 000 across the group, and while I do my best to interact with as many of our people as often as I can, in truth, it is far too few, far too often

Management Style: Open, interactive, encouraging, motivating

Personal Best Achievement: My marriage and family

Person Who Has Had The Biggest Influence on Your Career: Mike Nunn

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Right now, David Cameron – I think he has done a great job of addressing tough, but long-outstanding, issues

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Nallie Bosman, formerly of Absa Bank

Philosophy of Life: Treat others as you would like to be treated; do the best you can and then leave the rest to God

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Every new day

Biggest Ever Disappointment: That time keeps going faster and faster and that I never seem to have enough of it to do all that I wish to do

Hope for the Future: Live, love life, explore

Favourite Reading: The convenience of the Kindle is incredible – thanks to this great invention, it is now as much and as often as I can

Favourite TV Programme: Not a big fan

Favourite Food/Drink: Not stated

Favourite Music: All

Favourite Sport: Rugby

Hobbies: Motocross

Car: BMW

Pets: None

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Laziness

Married: To Leigh-Ann

Children: Matthew, 18; Daniel,13

Clubs: None