Full Name: Frank Henry Gregory
Position: MD of The Mineral Corporation
Main Activity of the Company: The Mineral Corporation is an independent and privately owned firm providing ‘one-stop’ technical advisory services to the mining industry across the globe, with particular emphasis on geology and mineral resources, mining engineering, process engineering and technoeconomic modelling. Services range from drilling rig management to boardroom strategic planning
Date and Place of Birth: January 16, 1950, Johannesburg
Education: St Alban’s College, Pretoria; Corona de Mar High School, California; University of the Witwatersrand, BSc (Hons)
First Job: Texas Gulf Exploration, Namibia
Size of First Pay Packet: R400 a month
Number of People under Your Leadership: 30 full-time employees
Management Style: Open, participative and informal, but I do not compromise standards (ethical or professional) in the delivery of product
Professional Best Achievement: Being a founding party to the establishment of The Mineral Corporation and experiencing its growth over 17 years
Personal Best Achievements: Finding the best life partner and our three unique children; the sharing of wonderful adventures – climbing active volcanoes in Guatemala, hikes in the impenetrable forests of Uganda to see the gorillas and the Serengeti migration, clambering through the Angkor Wat temples, exploring glaciers of Alaska, marvelling at the stromatolites in Shark Bay, Australia, leatherback turtles in Pondoland, the imperial jewel collection in the Kremlin and many other thrills
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: Apart from my wife, it would be Dean Acheson, former US Secretary of State
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: There are many – Professor Des Pretorius, Gordon Waddell, Bill Nairn and Derek Kyle, besides others
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Flavour of the day and defender of democratic rights Thuli Madonsela
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Richard Branson
Philosophy of Life: There is nothing that cannot be achieved with commitment and perseverance
Biggest Ever Opportunity: An award from AFS to study in the US for a year at a formative time of my life
Biggest Ever Disappointment: The demise of JCI, a previously great institution, after 24 years’ service
Hope for the Future: That the captain of South Africa Inc build the nation and capitalise on the goodwill of all our people
Favourite Reading: Mining history, African interest
Favourite TV Programme: Who wants to be a millionaire?
Favourite Food/Drink: Spicy – Mexican, Indian, Thai/a good whiskey
Favourite Music: Most music, except modern rock
Favourite Sport: I am an incompetent golfer and I also watch rugby, tennis, cricket and athletics
Hobbies: Family (especially grandchildren), travel (with the emphasis on Africa), gardening, photography and working out in the gym
Car: Mercedes-Benz
Pets: One lonesome mongrel
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Corruption, fraud and baked deserts
Married: To Kay Margaret Gregory (née Dummett)
Children: Mark, 45; Justin, 34; Philippa, 32
Clubs: Bryanston Country Club