Full Name: Nicole Mason

Position and Company Name: CEO and director of Envusa Energy

Main Activity of the Company: Envusa Energy is a fully integrated asset-backed renewable-energy trader. It is a partnership between Anglo American and EDF power solutions, part of French State-owned energy and infrastructure entity EDF Group

Date and Place of Birth: I was born in November 1978, in Johannesburg

Schools and Tertiary Education: St Mary’s Diocesan School for Girls, in Kloof, KwaZulu-Natal; BCom, University of South Africa; MBA, Henley Business School

First Job: Legal secretary

Size of First Pay Packet: R1 500 a month

Career Path to Date: I worked as a secretary while studying, after which I joined the family business, and this was followed by a variety of great roles at Anglo American. I currently serve as CEO of Envusa Energy

Value of Assets under Your Control: This is confidential information

Number of People under Your Leadership: 30 employees

Management Style: My management style can best be described as creating clarity of purpose, and then ensuring that teams are enabled and empowered to achieve their purpose while knowing that I genuinely care about them

Personal Best Achievement: Taking over and running my family’s business after the sudden loss of my father and later establishing and building Envusa Energy

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: There is not one person; I believe that wisdom is learning from the achievements and mistakes of others

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: I have been fortunate enough to work with many exceptional leaders throughout my career. Each has contributed to my ongoing development in different ways

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Myself in 20 years’ time. I hope I won’t be disappointed!

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Those who lead with integrity, inspire others and create a positive impact

Philosophy of Life: There are no perfect solutions; everything is a trade-off

Biggest Ever Opportunity: This life! This moment – right now!

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Losing my father in a car accident when I was only 21

Hope for the Future: That more people will recognise and believe in the power of partnership. If we want to create sustainable value, we have to do it together

Favourite Food/Drink: Anything that brings friends and family together; a good cup of tea

Favourite Music: Anything that you can dance to

Favourite Sport: Tennis

Pets: We have one dog

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Disrespect – manners cost nothing

Married: Yes

Children: Two daughters aged 23 and 20

Clubs: None