Salvador Freiherr von Neuberg

18th January 2013 By: Nomvelo Buthelezi

Full Name: EA Salvador Freiherr von Neuberg

Position: CEO of Bilfinger Power Africa

Main Activity of the Company: Design, fabrication, construction, maintenance and life extension in the power generation, petrochemicals, pulp and paper and mining and allied industries

Date and Place of Birth: May 20, 1945, Madrid, Spain

Education: BCom

First Job: Technical clerk at K Reichenback KG, in Germany

Career History Prior to Current Position: Industriewerke Karlsruhe Augsburg (IWKA), Germany, 1967 to 1986; South African Compensators (an IWKA subsidiary), 1974 to 1986; MD of five Steinmüller subsidiaries in Johannesburg, 1987 to 1998; MD and shareholder of Johannesburg-based Arminco, 1999 to 2003; chairperson of KOG Group, in Johannesburg, 2004 to 2008; CEO of Bilfinger Power Africa (previously Bilfinger Berger Power Holdings) from 2008 to date

Size of First Pay Packet: €200 a month

First Job with Present Group: MD of Steinmüller Mining & Piping Systems in 1994

Value of Assets under Your Control: R535-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: 5 148 direct reports and contractors

Management Style: A mixture of consultative and autocratic leading, depending on the situation

Personal Best Achievement: My 46-year marriage

Professional Best Achievement: To have a 50-year-old South African company achieving a record performance for 2012

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My wife

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Lothar Freitage, former MD of Steinmüller Africa

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Nelson Mandela

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Gerd Lesser, CEO of Bilfinger Power Systems, our parent company in Germany

Philosophy of Life: Work hard, play hard

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being transferred to South Africa

Biggest Ever Disappointment: I once jumped into a shallow lake; as a result, I fractured my neck

Hope for the Future: That I stay healthy and enjoy my retirement

Favourite Reading: Financial magazines

Favourite TV Programme: Discovery channel

Favourite Food/Drink: Any well-prepared meat/wine

Favourite Music: Jazz (New Orleans)

Favourite Sport: Golf

Favourite Website: Property sites

Hobbies: Cooking

Car: Mercedes-Benz

Pets: None

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Arrogant people

Favourite Other South African Company: South African Breweries

Favourite Foreign Company: Besides Bilfinger, I admire Apple

Married: To Gerlinde

Children: Joerg, 43; Nicole, 41

Clubs: None