Full Name: Sivaraj Charles Naidoo
Position: Engineering business unit leader
Main Activity of the Company: Professional engineering and environmental consulting services
Date and Place of Birth: April 22, 1974, Durban
Education: BSc (civil engineering), University of Durban-Westville, 1998
First Job: Engineer in training with Wates, Meiring & Barnard (WMB)
Career History Prior to Current Position: I worked for WMB before joining Carl Bro in the UK. On returning to South Africa, I joined Zitholele Consulting as the engineering lead before becoming the MD
Size of First Pay Packet: R5 000 a month
First Job with Present Group: Civil engineer with WMB, which became Golder Associates Africa in 2002
Value of Assets under Your Control: The assets under my control are people, who are priceless
Number of People under Your Leadership: 53
Management Style: Inclusive and consultative, which requires having a team that I trust
Personal Best Achievement: My family
Professional Best Achievement: Managing a successful consulting company
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My wife and my parents
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: All my past mentors – Flekkies Pretorius, Dr André van Niekerk and Richard Bennett
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: The Dalai Lama
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Elon Musk, best known for founding SpaceX and cofounding Tesla Motors and PayPal
Philosophy of Life: Never take yourself too seriously; always be open to new experiences and be passionate
Biggest Ever Opportunity: My current position
Biggest Ever Disappointment: I always try to find the positive in setbacks
Hope for the Future: That South Africa becomes an economic powerhouse and sets the example for Africa
Favourite Reading: Harvard Business Review and any novel with a bit of suspense
Favourite TV Programme: Monday Night Football
Favourite Food/Drink: Anything Asian
Favourite Music: Just about anything from the 1980s
Favourite Sport: Soccer
Hobbies: Anything that entertains a four-year-old
Car: Toyota Fortuner
Pets: None
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Dishonesty and negativity
Favourite Other South African Company: SABMiller
Favourite Foreign Company: Apple
Married: To Anusha since 2002
Children: Yatish
Clubs: Not stated