Full Name: Nigel Walls
Position: CEO of Ncondezi Coal
Main Activity of the Company: Development of a coal-fired power station and associated mine in Mozambique
Date and Place of Birth: September 9, 1961, UK
Education: Royal School of Mines, Imperial College, London
First Job: Mining learner official, Randfontein Estates gold mine, South Africa
Size of First Pay Packet: R360 a month
Value of Assets under Your Control: Market capitalisation of $46-million
Number of People under Your Leadership: Ncondezi Coal employs 45 people
Management Style: Pretty relaxed
Personal Best Achievement: Sailing a yacht from Antigua to Rhode Island, US – a distance of 2 000 miles
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: Probably my 20-year-old daughter
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Dr John Stocks (deceased) – my lecturer at university and my first boss after graduating
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Bill Clinton
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Jim Crombie, CEO of Reunion Gold and a couple of other companies
Philosophy of Life: Don’t ever take yourself too seriously and always be happy to learn
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Probably Ncondezi
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Seeing the value of some really good mineral resources being destroyed by ineptitude
Hope for the Future: That England wins the Rugby World Cup in 2015
Favourite Reading: Currently the Game of Thrones series (A Song of Fire and Ice)
Favourite TV Programme: The Wire
Favourite Food/Drink: Cheese fondue or anything Asian/ a really good Shiraz or a pint of scrumpy
Favourite Music: Eleanor McAvoy
Favourite Sport: Rugby
Hobbies: Squash and, of course, the pub
Car: BMW 5 series
Pets: Not at present but, generally, a dog
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Pomposity and having to ask someone several times to do something
Married: Divorced
Children: Yasmin, 20
Clubs: Squash and rugby clubs (follower rather than player)