Full Name: Justice Tootla

Position: Deputy CEO of Thales South Africa

Main Activity of the Company: Defence and security, aerospace and transportation

Date and Place of Birth: November 7, 1968

Education: Programme for Management Development, Gordon Institute of Business Science, University of Pretoria; BCom, University of the Witwatersrand; MBL, University of South Africa

First Job: Edcon Group

Career History Prior to Current Position: I served as divisional sales director at Nashua Mobile as well as marketing director before becoming CEO of Prowalco

First Job with Present Group: Deputy CEO

Value of Assets under Your Control: R1-billion

Number of People under Your Leadership: 200

Management Style: Permissive and democratic

Personal Best Achievement: Being born in Soweto and completing my education without secure, regular funding

Professional Best Achievement: Achieving a management buyout of one of my previous companies in difficult circumstances

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

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Nelson Mandela

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: US President Barack Obama and Glencore CEO Ivan Glasenberg

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Richard Branson

Philosophy of Life: Treat everyone fairly and with respect

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Appointment as CEO of Prowalco

Biggest Ever Disappointment: My father not being around to see my achievements

Hope for the Future: That I continue to add value to my country and mentor others less fortunate than I am

Favourite Reading: Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom

Favourite TV Programme: Discovery Wildlife

Favourite Food/Drink: Seafood

Favourite Music: Classic

Favourite Sport: Golf

Favourite Website: Bloomberg Business Week and Financial Mail

Hobbies: Reading and working out in the gym

Car: Mercedes-Benz

Pets: None

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Procrastination

Favourite Other South African Company: Kagiso Tiso Holdings

Favourite Foreign Company: Google

Married: To Nicky

Children: Jade, Shannon and Jason

Clubs: Reading Country Club