Full Name: Werner Ignatius Büchner

Position: Chairperson of the board of Clover Industries

Main Activity of the Company: Clover Industries is a processor of dairy and other fast-moving consumer goods

Date and Place of Birth: June 28, 1966, Port Elizabeth

Education: BEng (electronic), University of Pretoria

First Job: Design and system engineer, primarily on the development of a thermal imaging camera, at Eloptro, the electro-optical division of Denel

Career History Prior to Current Position: I worked for Eloptro from 1989 to 1995, when I joined the family dairy business. I bought the business from my father in 1997 and operated as a dairy farmer until June 2010, when I formed the Nanaga Farming Trust (with three other dairy farmers), consolidating four existing dairy operations into one business. I currently serve as MD of that business. My relationship with Clover started in 1997 as a producer. In 2006, I was elected to the board of directors of Clover and became chairperson in December 2012

Size of First Pay Packet: R1 850 a month, in 1989

First Job with Present Group: Member of the board of directors

Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated

Number of People under Your Leadership: Not stated

Management Style: Mostly democratic, but with a mix of persuasiveness, especially when I strongly believe that my viewpoint is the correct one

Personal Best Achievement: Completing our degrees with my wife, Estelle, while raising a family and making sure there is food on the table

Professional Best Achievement: Playing a role in forming the Nanaga Farming Trust

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father, whom, at the age of 78, I still consult on a regular basis

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Various people

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Jeremy Clarkson – I love his simple and logical view on life

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Elon Musk – mostly because he is South African, but also because he does not subscribe to the norm and sees no limitation in his abilities

Philosophy of Life: Simplicity is the ultimate perfection

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Buying the family business at a very favourable price

Biggest Ever Disappointment: I cannot think of any major disappointment. I have some regrets though, with the most prominent being not spending enough time with my children during their school career

Hope for the Future: That we overcome the challenges in our country and take our rightful place as the best country in the world

Favourite Reading: I read anything, but have a real interest in history

Favourite TV Programme: Top Gear

Favourite Food/Drink: Pizza/a good whiskey

Favourite Music: Eminem, but also any good classical rock.

Favourite Sport: Golf (participating) and cycling, cricket and rugby (watching)

Favourite Website: Google

Hobbies: I play golf when I can and keep my brain active by playing online chess

Car: Currently, my favourite toy is a Toyota 86

Pets: Two Scottish terriers, Otto and Eddie

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Negative attitudes, especially when it relates to life in South Africa, and pumpkin

Favourite Other South African Company: Naspers

Favourite Foreign Company: Google

Married: To Estelle, since December 23, 1986

Children: Daneel, 27; Frances, 26; Werner Jr, 22

Clubs: Royal Port Alfred Golf Club