Full Name: Allen Robert Sparrow

Position: MD of Rand Air & Gas, a division of African Cryogenics

Main Activity of the Company: Manufacturing cryogenic storage, distribution and associated equipment for local industrial gas companies

Date and Place of Birth: November 25, 1948, Johannesburg

Education: NTC 3 certificate, diploma in production management

First Job: Articled clerk at African Life Insurance for six months. I needed a hands-on mechanical job, so I started a career in nondestructive testing.

Career History Prior to Current Position: I joined Industrial Research & Development as a vacuum technician in 1972 and later became sales and marketing manager

Size of First Pay Packet: R311 a month

First Job with Present Group: MD

Value of Assets under Your Control: R20-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: 45

Management Style: Consultative

Personal Best Achievement: Since the age of 18, I have saved 10% of my earnings. Self-dependence from an early age has given me a great advantage in life

Professional Best Achievement: Starting Rand Air & Gas in 1981 and selling it to PSV in 2009

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: Dr Alec Rowe, founder of Industrial Research & Development – if only I had listened to his investment advice

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Sabie van der Spuy, a former commandant in the Rookies (South African Army). His strong autocratic management style helped me get things right the first time

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Bridget Oppenheimer

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Stephen King

Philosophy of Life: I quote Henry Ford: It is not the employer who pays the wages; employers only handle money. It is the customers who pay the wages. A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business.

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Starting my own company

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Limiting the company’s growth owing to limited resources

Hope for the Future: A sincere, noncorrupt government

Favourite Reading: Harold Robbins’ Carpetbaggers and A Stone for Danny Fisher

Favourite TV Programme: Discovery series – The Following, and comedy – Two and a Half Men and Who Wants to be a Millionaire

Favourite Food/Drink: Seafood/red wine and Jameson whiskey

Favourite Music: David Foster’s The Hitman and Friends

Favourite Sport: Rugby and UK soccer

Favourite Website: Gas World

Hobbies: Horse racing, bonsai and coin collection

Car: Range Rover Evoque

Pets: A Labrador

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Disrespect for road ordinance, being late, people who arrive far too early for a meeting and expect you to entertain them, and local companies not being given opportunities

Favourite Other South African Company: Sasol

Favourite Foreign Company: None

Married: Estranged

Children: Cindylee, 46; Clinton, 35; Robert, 34

Clubs: None