Full Name: Francois Hay

Position: MD of BME

Main Activity of the Company: Manufacturing and supply of explosives and accessories to the mining and quarrying industries, including electronic detonators and blasting software

Date and Place of Birth: March 23, 1970, Port Elizabeth

Education: University of Stellenbosch, Bachelor of Accountancy, 1993; University of Stellenbosch, Bachelor of Accountancy (Hons), 1994; chartered accountancy qualifying exam, 1995

First Job: Article clerk at Deloitte & Touche in Pretoria

Size of First Pay Packet: R2 400 a month

Value of Assets under Your Control: Assets such as a sizeable market share and BME’s staff complement are invaluable

Career History Prior to Current Position: After completing articles, I was appointed an audit manager with PricewaterhouseCoopers in the UK; Omnia Group’s fertilizer division – financial accountant and then financial manager; Omnia’s speciality fertiliser division – head of finance and, at the same time, financial controller for the fertiliser division’s Africa (Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi) operations as well as Australia; BME, Omnia’s explosives division – head of finance, 2003, and BME board member, 2004

Number of People under Your Leadership: About 1 300

Management Style: Inclusive, no nonsense, goal driven and enthusiastic

Personal Best Achievement: Work-home life balance (although my wife would say this is not always achieved)

Person who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: Hilde, my wife

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Giam Swiegers, a former partner in charge of Deloitte & Touche in Pretoria

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Nelson Mandela

Businessperson Who Has Impressed you Most: There are many – people who stay humble, give back to society and try to build a better world

Philosophy of Life: To be positive

Biggest Ever Opportunity: The African market

Biggest Ever Disappointment: I have had many disappointments but, in general, they are overshadowed by positives and opportunities

Hope for the Future: A peaceful, prosperous and hardworking South Africa and Africa

Favourite Reading: Outliers

Favourite TV Programme: Sport and movies

Favourite Food/Drink: Windhoek Light

Favourite Music: 1980s

Favourite Sport: Rugby and cricket

Hobbies: Watching movies

Car: VW Caravelle

Pets: Two Jack Russels, Violet and Dory

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Road rage, general negativity

Married: Hilde Roux, since December 1994

Children: Johan, 14; Hanro, 12; Francois, 9