Full Name: Jay Naidoo
Position: CEO of IMPower
Main Activity of the Company: Solar energy project engineering, procurement and management (C&I), energy project development (up to 10 MW) and energy management (C&I)
Date and Place of Birth: March 3, 1987, Walmer Estate, District 6, Cape Town
Education: BA (Business Administration), Greenwich University, London, UK
First Job: Retail store salesperson
Career History Prior to Current Position: Various junior and middle management roles (during my teens and early twenties); head of department, Renewable Energy Division, Citrine Construction; CEO of UPower, an energy management business; and CEO of Synthesis Power Holdings, a project development and structured finance business
Size of First Pay Packet: Not stated
First Job with Present Group: Founder and CEO
Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated
Number of People under Your Leadership: More than 50
Management Style: My management style is 20% visionary, 20% servanthood, 20% authoritarian, 20% transactional, 10% democratic and 10% laissez-faire
Personal Best Achievement: Committing my life to Christ and being a husband and father
Professional Best Achievement: Founding and heading various companies
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Dr Graham Power
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Elon Musk
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Dr Graham Power, of the Power Group, and Dr Francois van Niekerk, of Mergon
Philosophy of Life: I have a biblical world view. I live according to the philosophical teachings of Jesus Christ
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Growing up in a post-1994 South Africa as this has allowed me the freedom to pursue my dreams and ambitions without restrictions. In these time, as a South African, the sky is the limit!
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not stated
Hope for the Future: To make a significant positive impact within the economic and social spheres globally
Favourite Reading: The Bible
Favourite TV Programme: Not stated
Favourite Food/Drink: Seafood and good wine
Favourite Music: Jazz and classical
Favourite Sport: Boxing, kickboxing and martial arts
Favourite Website: Not stated
Hobbies: Boxing and kickboxing
Car: Audi
Pets: Dog
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Not stated
Favourite Other South African Company: Mergon
Favourite Foreign Company: Whatever Elon Musk is involved in – the man is a great example of what a South African can achieve
Married: Not stated
Children: Not stated
Clubs: Not stated