Full Name: Richard Szabo
Position: MD of KWE
Main Activity of the Company: Freight and logistic
Date and Place of Birth: April 12, 1974, Johannesburg
Education: BCom (Hons), University of South Africa, 1997
First job: Global Freight Forwarders
Career History Prior to Current Position: SAEL, financial manager for 12 years; KWE, FD for two year
Size of First Pay Packet: R2 500
First Job with Present Group: FD
Value of Assets under Your Control: About R500-million
Number of People under Your Leadership: 350
Management Style: I encourage an open-door policy and prefer a ‘solutions-based’ style
Personal Best Achievement: Not stated
Professional Best achievement: Appointment as MD of KWE
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My mother, for encouraging me always
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Not stated
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Mark Shuttleworth
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Richard Branson
Philosophy of Life: Live life to the fullest, with no regrets; take all opportunities that come your way
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Becoming MD of KW
Bigest Ever Disappointment: Corruption in South Africa
Hope for the Future: That our company grows to its fullest potential and that I am a direct part of that process
Favourite Reading: Biographies
Favourite TV Programme: Any spor
Favourite Food/Drink: Italian food/good red wine
Favourite Music: It depends on the day
Favourite Sport: Golf
Favourite Website: News24
Hobbies: Playing golf and spending time with my family
Pets: You name it – we have it
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Pretentiousness and dishonesty
Favourite Other South African Company: Richemont Group
Favourite Foreign Company: Kintetsu Holding Company, of Japan
Clubs: Kyalami Country Club