John Jacobs, CEO of Sweet-Orr & Lybro
Full Name: John Jacobs
Position: CEO of Sweet-Orr & Lybro
Main Activity of the Company: Manufacturing and sales
Date and Place of Birth: December 7, 1953
Education: BCom (Hons), 2005, University of the Western Cape; diploma in business management, 1983
First Job: Post Office messenger
Career History Prior to Current Position: Prior to joining Sweet-Orr & Lybro, I worked as a Post Office messenger, debt collector and lab assistant. I also worked for companies such as Sanlam and Everite
Size of First Pay Packet: R24 a week
First Job with Present Group: Junior administrative clerk
Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated
Number of People under Your Leadership: 250
Management Style: Consultative
Personal Best Achievement: Obtaining a postgraduate qualification
Professional Best Achievement: Becoming an associate member of the International Textile Institute
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My wife
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: The late Kevin Barry
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Warren Buffett
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Richard Branson
Philosophy of Life: Live by high ethical standards
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Acquiring the business I was associated with for over 50 years
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not being able to send my children to the best schools
Hope for the Future: That South Africa becomes a safe place for all its citizens
Favourite Reading: The Ups!de of Down, by Bruce Whitfield
Favourite TV Programme: MasterChef
Favourite Food/Drink: Curry prepared by my wife
Favourite Music: Contemporary
Favourite Sport: Rugby
Favourite Website: www.sweet-orr.com
Hobbies: Braaiing
Car: Mercedes-Benz
Pets: A Maltese poodle
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Travelling on a Monday and a Friday
Favourite Other South African Company: Woolworths Food
Favourite Foreign Company: Café Heinemann, Düsseldorf, Germany
Married: To Virginia Beneke, since May 30, 1973
Children: Zelma, 47; Denver, 44; Vanessa, 42; Abigail, 36
Clubs: Not stated