Full Name: Martin Theodore Smith

Position: CEO of MDM Engineering, the London Stock Exchange (LSE) Alternative Investment Market- (Aim-) listed mining services company

Main Activity of the Company: Engineering, construction and project management for the mining and metals industry; designing, building and commissioning of metallurgical process plants for resource owners, mainly in Africa

Date and Place of Birth: May 28, 1964, Carletonville, South Africa

Education: BEng Elec, University of Pretoria, 1987; PrEng Elec; Government Certificate of Competence; PBL, 1999, University of South Africa, 2000; CII Executive Leadership Course, Texas University, 2008

First Job: Engineer in training, Sastech, Sasol 1, 1987; before that, part-time onsetter at Impala Platinum, Rustenburg, during studies

Size of First Pay Packet: R900 a month

Value of Assets under Your Control: £48-million market capitalisation on the LSE’s Aim

Number of People under Your Leadership: 278

Management Style: Hands-on, open-door policy and close contact with all employees. I try to see the bigger picture and have a level- headed approach. I believe in empowering people and look for sustainable solutions

Personal Best Achievement: Working my way through the ranks, enjoying it all the way and maintaining a healthy family life

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: No specific high-profile person, but rather the individual relationships built with people during my career – some bosses, colleagues or people working for me. I value uniqueness, people who know what they want out of life and are not scared to live those values

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My first boss, Mike Lowson – he was very unassuming but gave me the confidence to achieve anything

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Kingsley Holgate

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Richard Branson

Philosophy of Life: Try to have a balanced life as far as possible in today’s fast pace; don’t do anything if you can’t give it 100%

Biggest Ever Opportunity: My training years at Sasol and marrying Tanya

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Losing a friend and colleague to cancer

Hope for the Future: That South Africa develops to its full potential and that some of the burning issues are resolved in the near future

Favourite Reading: Adventure fiction and nonfiction, travel

Favourite TV Programme: Generally, I just watch the news; however, I like Kwela on KykNet

Favourite Food/Drink: Any well-prepared food/red wine

Favourite Music: All genres – Pink Floyd and Queen are old favourites

Favourite Sport: Rugby (to watch – I support the Stormers), spinning and cycling

Hobbies: Camping in the wilderness

Car: Land Rover

Pets: Maltese poodle

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Incompetence, dishonesty

Married: To Tanya

Children: Roxanne, 20; Marcel, 18

Clubs: None