Full Name: Warne Rippon
Position: Executive director of Allied Steelrode
Main Activity of the Company: Supply and processing of steel
Date and Place of Birth: August 31, 1966, Grahamstown
Education: Matric, Kingswood College, Grahamstown
First Job: Selling plastic packaging for my father
Career History Prior to Current Position: I was given my first career opportunity – and introduction to the steel industry – in 1992 by my mentor, seasoned steel industry professional Jimmy Breakey. I worked for Debrell Steel till 1994, when they closed down. I then founded Steelrode in 1994 and ran it as the owner and MD until it merged with Allied Chemical & Steel in 2012
Size of First Pay Packet: R250 – a starting salary in 1986!
First Job with Present Group: Founder and MD
Value of Assets under Your Control: About R2.7-billion
Number of People under Your Leadership: 510 (locally and in sub-Saharan Africa)
Management Style: Short and sweet
Personal Best Achievement: Marrying my wife, and my two children
Professional Best Achievement: Founding Steelrode and, subsequently, the very successful merger with Allied Chemical & Steel to form Allied Steelrode, as well as the contribution we have made to the steel industry as a whole
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My parents and my mentor, Jimmy Breakey, who introduced me to the steel industry, for which I have had a lifelong passion
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Jimmy Breakey and my business partner and CEO of Allied Steelrode, Arun Chadha
Persons You Would Most Like to Meet: Marcus Mumford, of the band Mumford & Sons, and Chris Martin, of the band Coldplay
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Norman Adami, president and CEO of SABMiller Americas
Philosophy of Life: I always follow my gut feeling/instinct – it is very accurate
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Meeting my steel industry mentor, Jimmy Breakey, who instilled and nurtured in me a true passion for steel and all its many facets and opportunities
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not being able to study music at university when I left school
Hope for the Future: A peaceful, nonviolent and crime-free South Africa that can once again take its rightful place on the world stage and compete globally in all aspects
Favourite Reading: Game farm management and autobiographies
Favourite TV Programme: I do not have much time to watch television, but when I do, it is the horse-racing channel
Favourite Food/Drink: Chicken and rice/Cane and Coke
Favourite Music: Mumford & Sons, Coldplay
Favourite Sport: Cricket and endurance motorcycle racing
Favourite Website: Buffalo Kloof Wildlife Safaris
Hobbies: Game breeding, music, playing the guitar
Car: Toyota bakkie.
Pets: Mumford, my Rhodesian ridgeback
Miscellaneous Dislikes: People who lie or are in any way dishonest
Favourite Other South African Company: Pam Golding Properties
Favourite Foreign Company: Apple
Children: Hannah, 19; Taylor, 17
Clubs: Belmont Golf Club