Full Name: John Patrick Barton-Bridges
Position: CEO of Jonah Capital
Main Activity of the Company: Investment management
Date and Place of Birth: May 17, 1957, Leribe, Lesotho
Education: MBA, INSEAD, France; MSc (engineering geology), DIC (Imperial College, London); BSc (civil engineering), University of Cape Town
First Job: Civil engineer, City of Cape Town
Size of First Pay Packet: I cannot remember – around R500 a month
Value of Assets under Your Control: Not disclosed – Jonah Capital is a private company
Number of People under Your Leadership: Directly, 10, excluding subsidiary companies
Management Style: Lead by example, be approachable
Personal Best Achievement: My children
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My wife
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Many different people at different stages of my career
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Malala Yousafzai
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Richard Branson
Philosophy of Life: Strive to do your best, take pride in what you do, and treat others with respect and dignity
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Voting in South Africa’s first democratic elections
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Today’s African National Congress
Hope for the Future: A well-governed, nonracial South Africa with a strong and growing economy, low unemployment and equal opportunity for all
Favourite Reading: Thrillers
Favourite TV Programme: Live sports transmissions
Favourite Food/Drink: Italian/red wine
Favourite Music: Reggae
Favourite Sport: Cricket
Hobbies: Spending time with my family, travel, Africa, the bush, fly-fishing
Car: Jag
Pets: Golden retriever (Sabie) and wire-haired dachshund (Os)
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Poor officiating, incompetent/crooked sports administrators, corrupt politicians, bad manners . . .
Married: To Catherine (Katy)
Children: Samuel, 24; Thomas, 23; James, 19
Clubs: Parkview Golf Club