Full Name: Martin Theodore Smith
Position: CEO of MDM Engineering, the London Stock Exchange (LSE) Alternative Investment Market- (Aim-) listed mining services company
Main Activity of the Company: Engineering, construction and project management for the mining and metals industry; designing, building and commissioning of metallurgical process plants for resource owners, mainly in Africa
Date and Place of Birth: May 28, 1964, Carletonville, South Africa
Education: BEng Elec, University of Pretoria, 1987; PrEng Elec; Government Certificate of Competence; PBL, 1999, University of South Africa, 2000; CII Executive Leadership Course, Texas University, 2008
First Job: Engineer in training, Sastech, Sasol 1, 1987; before that, part-time onsetter at Impala Platinum, Rustenburg, during studies
Size of First Pay Packet: R900 a month
Value of Assets under Your Control: £48-million market capitalisation on the LSE’s Aim
Number of People under Your Leadership: 278
Management Style: Hands-on, open-door policy and close contact with all employees. I try to see the bigger picture and have a level- headed approach. I believe in empowering people and look for sustainable solutions
Personal Best Achievement: Working my way through the ranks, enjoying it all the way and maintaining a healthy family life
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: No specific high-profile person, but rather the individual relationships built with people during my career – some bosses, colleagues or people working for me. I value uniqueness, people who know what they want out of life and are not scared to live those values
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My first boss, Mike Lowson – he was very unassuming but gave me the confidence to achieve anything
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Kingsley Holgate
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Richard Branson
Philosophy of Life: Try to have a balanced life as far as possible in today’s fast pace; don’t do anything if you can’t give it 100%
Biggest Ever Opportunity: My training years at Sasol and marrying Tanya
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Losing a friend and colleague to cancer
Hope for the Future: That South Africa develops to its full potential and that some of the burning issues are resolved in the near future
Favourite Reading: Adventure fiction and nonfiction, travel
Favourite TV Programme: Generally, I just watch the news; however, I like Kwela on KykNet
Favourite Food/Drink: Any well-prepared food/red wine
Favourite Music: All genres – Pink Floyd and Queen are old favourites
Favourite Sport: Rugby (to watch – I support the Stormers), spinning and cycling
Hobbies: Camping in the wilderness
Car: Land Rover
Pets: Maltese poodle
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Incompetence, dishonesty
Married: To Tanya
Children: Roxanne, 20; Marcel, 18
Clubs: None