Full Name: Francois Hay
Position: MD of BME
Main Activity of the Company: Manufacturing and supply of explosives and accessories to the mining and quarrying industries, including electronic detonators and blasting software
Date and Place of Birth: March 23, 1970, Port Elizabeth
Education: University of Stellenbosch, Bachelor of Accountancy, 1993; University of Stellenbosch, Bachelor of Accountancy (Hons), 1994; chartered accountancy qualifying exam, 1995
First Job: Article clerk at Deloitte & Touche in Pretoria
Size of First Pay Packet: R2 400 a month
Value of Assets under Your Control: Assets such as a sizeable market share and BME’s staff complement are invaluable
Career History Prior to Current Position: After completing articles, I was appointed an audit manager with PricewaterhouseCoopers in the UK; Omnia Group’s fertilizer division – financial accountant and then financial manager; Omnia’s speciality fertiliser division – head of finance and, at the same time, financial controller for the fertiliser division’s Africa (Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi) operations as well as Australia; BME, Omnia’s explosives division – head of finance, 2003, and BME board member, 2004
Number of People under Your Leadership: About 1 300
Management Style: Inclusive, no nonsense, goal driven and enthusiastic
Personal Best Achievement: Work-home life balance (although my wife would say this is not always achieved)
Person who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: Hilde, my wife
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Giam Swiegers, a former partner in charge of Deloitte & Touche in Pretoria
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Nelson Mandela
Businessperson Who Has Impressed you Most: There are many – people who stay humble, give back to society and try to build a better world
Philosophy of Life: To be positive
Biggest Ever Opportunity: The African market
Biggest Ever Disappointment: I have had many disappointments but, in general, they are overshadowed by positives and opportunities
Hope for the Future: A peaceful, prosperous and hardworking South Africa and Africa
Favourite Reading: Outliers
Favourite TV Programme: Sport and movies
Favourite Food/Drink: Windhoek Light
Favourite Music: 1980s
Favourite Sport: Rugby and cricket
Hobbies: Watching movies
Car: VW Caravelle
Pets: Two Jack Russels, Violet and Dory
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Road rage, general negativity
Married: Hilde Roux, since December 1994
Children: Johan, 14; Hanro, 12; Francois, 9