Full Name: Richard O’Connor Whittall
Position: President and CEO of Newstrike Capital Inc
Main Activity of the Company: Precious metals exploration in Mexico
Date and Place of Birth: January 13, 1959, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Education: BA, UBC); MA, Cambridge
First Job: Mail room placer developments
Size of First Pay Packet: C$125.00 every two weeks
Value of Assets under Your Control: C$100-million market capitalisation
Number of People under Your Leadership: 45 to 52
Management Style: Hire bright people and leave them alone
Personal Best Achievement: Running my first marathon at 50
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: Marvin Shagham (high school teacher)
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Tie – my wife and my father
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Ai Weiwei
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Lukas Lundin
Philosophy of Life: Work hard and garden
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being appointed CEO of Newstrike Capital
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not getting into an operating role earlier in my career
Hope For the Future: Delivering strong results to shareholders
Favourite Reading: Churchill biographies and newspapers
Favourite TV Programme: Justified
Favourite Food/Drink: Pasta/red wine
Favourite Music: Everything but rap and heavy metal
Favourite Sport: Hockey and soccer
Hobbies: Gardening
Car: BMW
Pets: Henry (dog)
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Middle seats on airplanes
Married: To Jennifer
Children: None
Clubs: Vancouver Club