Full Name: Nigel Walls

Position: CEO of Ncondezi Coal

Main Activity of the Company: Development of a coal-fired power station and associated mine in Mozambique

Date and Place of Birth: September 9, 1961, UK

Education: Royal School of Mines, Imperial College, London

First Job: Mining learner official, Randfontein Estates gold mine, South Africa

Size of First Pay Packet: R360 a month

Value of Assets under Your Control: Market capitalisation of $46-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: Ncondezi Coal employs 45 people

Management Style: Pretty relaxed

Personal Best Achievement: Sailing a yacht from Antigua to Rhode Island, US – a distance of 2 000 miles

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: Probably my 20-year-old daughter

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Dr John Stocks (deceased) – my lecturer at university and my first boss after graduating

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Bill Clinton

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Jim Crombie, CEO of Reunion Gold and a couple of other companies

Philosophy of Life: Don’t ever take yourself too seriously and always be happy to learn

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Probably Ncondezi

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Seeing the value of some really good mineral resources being destroyed by ineptitude

Hope for the Future: That England wins the Rugby World Cup in 2015

Favourite Reading: Currently the Game of Thrones series (A Song of Fire and Ice)

Favourite TV Programme: The Wire

Favourite Food/Drink: Cheese fondue or anything Asian/ a really good Shiraz or a pint of scrumpy

Favourite Music: Eleanor McAvoy

Favourite Sport: Rugby

Hobbies: Squash and, of course, the pub

Car: BMW 5 series

Pets: Not at present but, generally, a dog

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Pomposity and having to ask someone several times to do something

Married: Divorced

Children: Yasmin, 20

Clubs: Squash and rugby clubs (follower rather than player)