Full Name: Mark Brune

Position: Chairperson of ASX-listed Mintails

Main Activity of the Company: Gold extraction from hard-rock opencast mining and hydraulic tailings mining, as well as recently recommissioned historic underground shafts

Date and Place of Birth: July 12, 1965, California, US

Education: BA (business administration), Auburn University, US; MBA, London Business School (LBS)

First Job: Mowing neighbour’s lawn, aged 8

Size of First Pay Packet: $2 a week

Value of Assets under Your Control: A$14.5-million market capitalisation

Number of People under Your Leadership: Mintails employs 280 people – 800 with contractors

Management Style: Collaborative – it is the best way to maximise the talent and proactive thinking of our team

Personal Best Achievement: It is better to ask me this at the end of the journey

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: I have worked for two fantastic mentors, both of whom I respect for their acute business acumen and success, practised with humility and humanity

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: I would have really liked to meet Madiba. On visiting the Apartheid Museum, I was blown away by the process of reconciliation leading to the pillars of the Constitution

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Warren Buffett

Philosophy of Life: Borrowed from Gandhi – Seven Things That Will Destroy Us: wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, commerce without morality, science without humanity, worship without sacrifice, politics without principle

Biggest Ever Opportunity: To study at LBS with immensely bright and committed people from all over the world. Their perspectives were eye-opening

Biggest Ever Disappointment: It will be better to ask me this at the end of the journey

Hope for the Future: I would like to succeed in delivering a sustainable business that addresses and meets the vast challenges shared by us in the private sector and in society, and those of the environment for the betterment of all three

Favourite Reading: Current affairs analysis

Favourite TV Programme: Natural and historical documentaries

Favourite Food/Drink: My wife’s moussaka, coupled with a good red (South African) wine and good company

Favourite Music: Rock’n’roll, although I appreciate a range of music genres

Favourite Sport: Rugby Union

Hobbies: The outdoors, travelling and BBQing (someday I will be good enough to braai!)

Car: 2008 Golf TDI – I do not buy new cars

Pets: Two dogs, an Irish wolfhound and a hyperactive vizsla

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Shallow thinking

Married: To Pia

Children: Zoe, 13; Tobi, 11

Clubs: KCS Old Boys (London), USA Eagles Rugby (I can always dream – although they are the reigning Olympic 15s champions!)