James Campbell

16th December 2016 By: Martin Creamer - Creamer Media Editor

James Campbell

Full Name: James Andrew Hartley Campbell

Position: MD of Botswana Diamonds since December 1, 2016

Main Activity of the Company: Diamond mining

Date and Place of Birth: June 2, 1964, Derry, UK

Education: BSc (Hons) (mining and exploration geology), MBA

First Job: Exploration geologist, De Beers

Size of First Pay Packet: R1 200 a month

Brief Career Outline: Former CEO of Rockwell Diamonds, former Lucara Diamonds VP: new business, former De Beers GM: advanced exploration

Value of Assets under Your Control: London Aim-listed Botswana Diamonds has a market capitalisation of £5.3-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: 100

Management Style: Involved, hands-on, decisive

Personal Best Achievement: Buy-out of AK6 and its subsequent development

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Alex van Zyl

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Harry Oppenheimer

Philosophy of Life: Enjoy what you do, create, have fun

Biggest Ever Opportunity: My current job

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Leaving De Beers

Hope for the Future: Building a top-class South African diamond company

Favourite Reading: Travelogues

Favourite TV Programme: Live sport

Favourite Food/Drink: Home-made Indian food/South African red wine

Favourite Music: Choral music and music from the 1980s

Favourite Sport: Rugby

Hobbies: Ballroom dancing (gold medallist), road running

Car: Toyota Prado

Pets: Two dogs and a cat

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Procrastination and indecision

Married: To Ann

Children: Natasha, 27; Emma, 25

Clubs: None