Full Name: Trevor Christopher Raman

Position: President and CEO of Saab Grintek Defence

Main Activity of the Company: Saab Grintek Defence is a South African defence and security company, bringing capabilities that include electronic warfare systems, sensor technology, command and control, training systems, avionics, security and support solutions to the African and international markets

Date and Place of Birth: December 22, 1969. I grew up in the little town of Tongaat, on the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal

Education: BSc (Hons) (mechanical engineering), MBA (Aerospace)

First Job: I was employed by the Aero-Systems Division os Armscor in 1995

Career History Prior to Current Position: I have held various engineering and management positions in defence acquisition, design and development, and research and development

Size of First Pay Packet: R65 000 a year

First Job with Present Group: President and CEO

Value of Assets under Your Control: R1.5-billion

Number of People under Your Leadership: Over 650 at two campuses in Pretoria and Cape Town

Management Style: A combination of styles, and I guess I could be called the 'permissive democrat'

Personal Best Achievement: With the help of my understanding wife and children, I have been able to maintain a healthy balance between my personal life and my professional career

Professional Best Achievement: Leading the Gripen Weapon System development, production and implementation as Gripen programme manager, development of the Armscor Intellectual Property Policy and the creation of the Innovation Division to implement the policy

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

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My parents

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: I would feel very fortunate to meet India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Elon Musk

Philosophy of Life: My philosophy is to surround myself with people who are honest, respectful, willing to share their knowledge and are generally happy for me. I also believe that a person’s wealth is not measured by a bank account, the size of a house or the car they drive, but rather by a person’s life experiences

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Living abroad with my family for ten years

Biggest Ever Disappointment: I have not encountered any serious disappointments to date

Hope for the Future: The eradication of racism, prejudice and intolerance in South Africa

Favourite Reading: Books about business, finance, investment and leadership. One of my favourite books is Banker to the Poor by Muhammad Yunus.

Favourite TV Programme: Suits, The Daily Show, Sci-Fi

Favourite Food/Drink: Thai and Indian food/tea – I do enjoy the occasional good scotch or red wine

Favourite Music: I have always enjoyed all types of music, but my favourites are U2, Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton, Santana and, more recently, Coldplay, Ed Sheeren and Taylor Swift

Favourite Sport: Golf and an occasional soccer match with our family soccer club

Favourite Website: Khan Academy (www.khanacademy.org)

Hobbies: Reading, travelling and a round of golf every now and then

Car: Audi Q5

Pets: Two golden retrievers named Shyloh and Tuve

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Dishonesty and corruption

Favourite Other South African Company: Sasol

Favourite Foreign Company: General Electric

Married: To Sharinthra, since September 16, 1996

Children: Trishanta, 19; Shyam, 16

Clubs: The Curry Cup, our family soccer and social club