Full Name: John Watson

Position: Regional commercial director for Africa, GE Mining

Main Activity of the Company: US multinational GE, which employs 305 000 professionals globally, has a suite of products that increase the efficiency and productivity of greenfield and existing mine sites in Africa by offering baseload gas, diesel and renewable power electrification solutions, along with smart grid technology that reduces overall project cost; mine/process optimisation on the industrial Internet, water purification technologies and industrial locomotives are also offered

Date and Place of Birth: May 27, 1971, Durban

Education: NHD (metallurgical engineering)

First Job: Plant metallurgist, Anglo American

Size of First Pay Packet: R5 000 a month

Number of People under Your Leadership: Eight employees

Management Style: Hands-on, leading from the front

Personal Best Achievement: My family

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My wife, Ronel

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: All my entrepreneur friends (“the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world are the ones who do” – Steve Jobs)

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Jony Ive, head of design at Apple

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, Solar City

Philosophy of Life: Lean into God daily

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Growing GE Mining into Africa, the Middle East and Europe

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not making more time for my family

Hope for the Future: Sustainable powering up of Africa’s economy

Favourite Reading: Overland journals, tech blogs

Favourite TV Programme: QI on BBC

Favourite Food/Drink: Karoo lamb/vintage red wine

Favourite Music: Dire Straits, U2

Favourite Sports: Athletics, cycling

Hobbies: Mountain biking with my wife, exploring the road less travelled

Car: Honda

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Arrogance, dishonesty

Married: To Ronel

Children: Ethan, 17, and Camdon, 14