Full Name: Kim Alatna Schoepflin

Position: CEO of Kwatani, previously known as Joest

Main Activity of the Company: Engineering and manufacturing of custom vibratory equipment

Date and Place of Birth: March 18, 1973, Johannesburg

Education: Bachelor of European Business in International Business Management (honours, cum laude), with dual graduation in Germany and the UK; BCom (Hons), University of the Witwatersrand

First Job: McKinsey & Company, September 1, 1999

Career History Prior to Current Position: I started my career in corporate finance and strategy consulting at McKinsey and later moved into mergers and acquisitions at Deutsche Bank, in Germany. I took on a position as corporate development manager at speciality chemicals company Cognis, where I was subsequently appointed European marketing manager of the company’s nutrition and health division. In 2009, I returned home to South Africa to join Kwatani (then called Joest) as financial director

Size of First Pay Packet: I cannot remember, but it was in Deutsche marks and I was very proud of myself at the time

First Job with Present Group: Financial director

Value of Assets under Your Control: R200-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: About 200

Management Style: Depending on the situation, authoritative to transformational

Personal Best Achievement: Three happy children

Professional Best Achievement: I hope that it still lies ahead

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father – he taught me “to find yourself, think for yourself”

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My family – they ground me

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: None

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Richard Branson

Philosophy of Life: All or nothing

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Moving back to South Africa

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Politicians

Hope for the Future: “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today” (Malcolm X)

Favourite Reading: Scandinavian mystery fiction

Favourite TV Programme: Not interested

Favourite Food/Drink: Fresh fish and Sauvignon Blanc

Favourite Music: Rock

Favourite Sport: Tennis

Favourite Website: Google

Hobbies: My children; when I have time, I love to travel

Car: BMW X6

Pets: One Fila Brasilerio (Brazilian Mastiff) and millions of bees

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Complacency and sweet wine

Favourite Other South African Company: U-Cook – organic food delivered to your doorstep

Favourite Foreign Company: Apple, only because I am a fan

Clubs: The gym, but only sometimes