Full Name: Fiona Jane Edmundson
Position and Company Name: Head of legal: South Africa at Anglo American
Main Activity of the Company: Mining
Date and Place of Birth: June 26, 1975
Education: BProc
First Job: Waitress, while I was at university
Size of First Pay Packet: I cannot remember but it felt like a fortune at the time
Career Path to Date: I completed my articles at the then Cliffe Dekker Inc and was appointed an associate on completing the articles. In 2006, my husband and I took opportunities offered to us in London – in my case, as an associate at Clifford Chance. We returned to South Africa after three years and I started with Anglo American’s group legal department in 2010. Throughout my career, I have focused on mergers and acquisitions and aspects of general commercial law
Number of People under Your Leadership: 22
Management Style: I believe in being an accessible leader who exercises quiet diplomacy
Personal Best Achievement: My daughter
Professional Best Achievement: Appointment as head of legal: South Africa at Anglo American
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: One of the partners I worked under when I was doing my articles. We have since worked together on and off throughout my career, and his guidance has been invaluable
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: There are so many. As a South African, I cannot help but want to meet Nelson Mandela – he was a key figure in shaping our democracy
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Bill Gates
Philosophy of Life: I have to follow my father – keep your feet on the ground, but reach for the stars
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Joining Anglo American – it put me on a career path I previously did not imagine was possible
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Failing to secure articles immediately after university. I graduated cum laude and took it for granted that I would get articles
Hope for the Future: Economic stability and prosperity for South Africa – we have a wonderful country with so much to offer
Favourite Reading: Reading is my downtime, so something light and easy to read. When I am on holiday, I go for a biography
Favourite TV Programme: Again, this is my downtime, so, if I watch TV, it’s along the lines of Grey’s Anatomy, Survivor or Amazing Race
Favourite Food/Drink: Nothing beats a good South African beef fillet with Dijon Mustard sauce
Favourite Music: All genres
Favourite Sport: Running (participating), cycling or golf (watching)
Hobbies: My soul is at peace in the bush, so we try to get there as often as we can
Car: A 2008 Volvo station wagon
Pets: An adopted cat and an Australian Galah parrot
Miscellaneous Dislikes: People who would rather talk about you than to you