Full Name: Wale Arewa
Position: CEO of Experien
Main Activity of the Company: Xperien is a provider of secure information technology asset disposal (ITAD) services
Date and Place of Birth: Leeds, UK
Education: BSc (quantity surveying), Greenwich University, London, UK
First Job: Quantity surveyor at Basil Cohen & Partners
Career History Prior to Current Position: I moved from construction to computers during the 1993 recession in the UK
Size of First Pay Packet: £13 000 a year
First Job with Present Group: I founded the company 17 years ago
Value of Assets under Your Control: R75-million
Number of People under Your Leadership: More than 50
Management Style: Lao Tzu – “When the best leader’s work is done, the people say: ‘We did it ourselves’”
Personal Best Achievement: Establishing a cycling team
Professional Best Achievement: Helping to establish the ITAD market and creating awareness of the Protection of Personal Information Act of 2013
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My mother – she was exceptionally hard working
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Richard Branson
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Richard Branson
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Elon Musk
Philosophy of Life: You can always do better
Biggest Ever Opportunity: It is yet to come
Biggest Ever Disappointment: I cannot remember any
Hope for the Future: Establishing more companies that add value to society
Favourite Reading: Half of a Yellow Sun
Favourite TV Programme: Formula 1
Favourite Food/Drink: Mediterranean/beer
Favourite Music: Afro pop
Favourite Sport: Cycling
Favourite Website: Google
Hobbies: Travelling
Car: Porsche 911 4S
Pets: Dobermans – Troy and Ruby
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Apathy, procrastination and laziness
Favourite Other South African Company: First National Bank
Favourite Foreign Company: Ethereum
Married: To Rosemunde, since 1986
Children: Dominic, 31; Lateefah, 22; Sheriffah, 21
Clubs: Institute of Directors