Full Name: Sherry Zameer

Position: Senior VP: Africa, Gemalto

Main Activity of the Company: Gemalto provides technologies and services that enable businesses and governments to authenticate identities and protect data. It also provides services related to personal devices, connected objects and the cloud, besides others

Date and Place of Birth: August 29, 1971, Karachi, Pakistan

Education: An undergraduate degree in electronic engineering and a master’s degree in telecommunications

First Job: While studying for my master’s degree in England, I set up a company with my brother to sell mobile phones and network contracts to small and medium-sized enterprises

Career History Prior to Current Position: I have worked for Newbridge Networks, in London; Ericsson; Proquent Systems; LogicaCMG; and Monaco Telematiques, which was acquired by Gemalto

Size of First Pay Packet: When I was selling mobile devices and contracts for mobile network operators in the UK, I was paid £120 for every contract sold

First Job with Present Group: Managing Gemalto’s telecoms solutions business in Africa and the Middle East

Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated

Number of People under Your Leadership: The sales organisation for Africa is made up of around 50 sales professionals

Management Style: Very much hands-on

Personal Best Achievement: Working with a group of doctors to launch a charity for communities in developing countries where it is difficult to access medical services on a regular basis

Professional Best Achievement: Clinching one of the largest M2M/IoT platform deals in the region

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

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: I have been blessed that, in my career to date, in every role, I have had a manager I have learned something from

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Muhammad Ali

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Steve Jobs

Philosophy of Life: Never be afraid of failure

Biggest Ever Opportunity: The company that I set up while studying for my master’s degree – it gave me insight on how the world was about to change

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Having to close my company in order to concentrate on my exams

Hope for the Future: That we all live in interesting times always

Favourite Reading: The Art of War, by Sun Tzu

Favourite TV Programme: The Great British Bake Off

Favourite Food/Drink: Peri-peri chicken/passion fruit juice

Favourite Music: One Direction

Favourite Sport: Football

Favourite Website: None

Hobbies: Five-a-side football (playing), cricket (watching)

Car: Yellow Hummer H2

Pets: None

Miscellaneous Dislikes: None

Favourite Other South African Company: Not stated

Favourite Foreign Company: Tesla

Married: To Sobiya, since 1999

Children: Zara, 15; Zoya, 12; Zayna, 5

Clubs: Not stated