Full Name: Allen Robert Sparrow
Position: MD of Rand Air & Gas, a division of African Cryogenics
Main Activity of the Company: Manufacturing cryogenic storage, distribution and associated equipment for local industrial gas companies
Date and Place of Birth: November 25, 1948, Johannesburg
Education: NTC 3 certificate, diploma in production management
First Job: Articled clerk at African Life Insurance for six months. I needed a hands-on mechanical job, so I started a career in nondestructive testing.
Career History Prior to Current Position: I joined Industrial Research & Development as a vacuum technician in 1972 and later became sales and marketing manager
Size of First Pay Packet: R311 a month
First Job with Present Group: MD
Value of Assets under Your Control: R20-million
Number of People under Your Leadership: 45
Management Style: Consultative
Personal Best Achievement: Since the age of 18, I have saved 10% of my earnings. Self-dependence from an early age has given me a great advantage in life
Professional Best Achievement: Starting Rand Air & Gas in 1981 and selling it to PSV in 2009
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: Dr Alec Rowe, founder of Industrial Research & Development – if only I had listened to his investment advice
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Sabie van der Spuy, a former commandant in the Rookies (South African Army). His strong autocratic management style helped me get things right the first time
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Bridget Oppenheimer
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Stephen King
Philosophy of Life: I quote Henry Ford: It is not the employer who pays the wages; employers only handle money. It is the customers who pay the wages. A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business.
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Starting my own company
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Limiting the company’s growth owing to limited resources
Hope for the Future: A sincere, noncorrupt government
Favourite Reading: Harold Robbins’ Carpetbaggers and A Stone for Danny Fisher
Favourite TV Programme: Discovery series – The Following, and comedy – Two and a Half Men and Who Wants to be a Millionaire
Favourite Food/Drink: Seafood/red wine and Jameson whiskey
Favourite Music: David Foster’s The Hitman and Friends
Favourite Sport: Rugby and UK soccer
Favourite Website: Gas World
Hobbies: Horse racing, bonsai and coin collection
Car: Range Rover Evoque
Pets: A Labrador
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Disrespect for road ordinance, being late, people who arrive far too early for a meeting and expect you to entertain them, and local companies not being given opportunities
Favourite Other South African Company: Sasol
Favourite Foreign Company: None
Married: Estranged
Children: Cindylee, 46; Clinton, 35; Robert, 34
Clubs: None