Full Name: Ute Schoeman
Position: MD of SEW-Eurodrive
Main Activity of the Company: Engineering solutions for drive automation, geared motors and industrial gears
Date and Place of Birth: Piet Retief, 1976
Education: Degree in communications and sociology
First Job: Account executive at Kakiebos Advertising
Career History Prior to Current Position: Sales and media planning
Size of First Pay Packet: R5 000 a month
First Job with Present Group: Marketing coordinator
Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated
Number of People under Your Leadership: 230
Management Style: Participative
Personal Best Achievement: The happiness of my children
Professional Best Achievement: Appointment as MD in 2011
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My mother
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: The entire team at SEW-Eurodrive
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Thuli Madonsela
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Marissa Ann Mayer, president and CEO of Yahoo!
Philosophy of Life: Strive for balance in everything you do
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Life is full of opportunities. I am still expecting my biggest-ever opportunity
Biggest Ever Disappointment: The current state of South Africa
Hope for the Future: That the people of South Africa live without fear of crime and that the country is ethical and prosperous, with opportunities for all
Favourite Reading: News, entertainment and fiction
Favourite TV Programme: I would rather watch a good movie
Favourite Food/Drink: Some bubbles and cooking with unusual ingredients
Favourite Music: Lounge music
Favourite Sport: I am not an avid sports fan, although I do like special events like the World Cup
Favourite Website: Various news websites
Hobbies: Cooking and spending time with my family
Car: Mercedes-Benz SUV
Pets: Big dogs
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Dishonesty and pretentiousness
Favourite Other South African Company: Bidvest
Favourite Foreign Company: Google
Married: I am in a long-term partnership
Children: A son and a daughter
Clubs: None