Full Name: Willem Zuidema

Position: GM: lubricants at Shell South Africa

Main Activity of the Company: Energy

Date and Place of Birth: October 29, 1964, the Netherlands

Education: European studies, University of Amsterdam, 1992; MBA, Rotterdam School of Management, 2002

Career History Prior to Current Position: I held supply chain positions with Sony in Europe as well as supply chain and contracting positions at Shell Upstream and Global (in London and The Hague) and also served in a regional planning role in Asia Pacific (Singapore)

Management Style: Delivery focused and engaging, with emphasis on personal development and diversity

Personal Best Achievement: I think I can cook a reasonable Asian dish and was also satisfied to run a half a marathon in Singapore in 2011 at 32 ºC

Professional Best Achievement: It is for others to judge

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Many colleagues in Shell influence and inspire me. Simon Henry, the current CFO, comes to mind as an exemplary leader

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Kofi Annan

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Freddy Heineken – he achieved a lot, remained creative and stayed humble

Philosophy of Life: The key to success and happiness is in those surrounding you

Biggest Ever Opportunity: It is still to come, I am sure

Biggest Ever Disappointment: I have had no big disappointments or setbacks so far

Hope for the Future: Good-quality education for all in South Africa

Favourite Reading: One Hundred Years of Solitude, Gabriel Garcia Marques.

Favourite TV Programme: I do not watch a lot of TV. I do enjoy a good movie, however. The last good ones I watched included Life of Pi and Zero Dark Thirty

Favourite Food/Drink: Indonesian food, very spicy, accompanied by a cold Castel or Heineken

Favourite Music: My choice of music changes all the time – lately, I enjoy Red Hot Chili Peppers and Counting Crows, and have also listened to Radio Paradise

Favourite Sport: Running and tennis. I also enjoy rugby, but do not play it anymore

Favourite websites: Khan Academy (www.khanacademy.org), National Geographic and BBC News

Hobbies: Fishing with my son, playing tennis with my daughter and travel

Car: Land Rover Discovery

Pets: Two cats and two dogs

Miscellaneous Dislike: Lack of authenticity, slowness and clutter

Married: To Paola Crone since 1995

Children: Jelle, 12; Wies, 10