Full Name: Alastair Macduff

Position: Founding partner of Unleash Consulting and chairperson and CEO of the Turnaround Management Association (TMA) chapter in South Africa (TMA-SA)

Main Activity of the Company: The TMA-SA is involved in the turnaround and business recovery of distressed companies

Date and Place of Birth: October 25, 1946, Cape Town

Education: BCom, University of the Witwatersrand; CA(SA)

First Job: Audit clerk

Career History Prior to Current Position: I spent ten years in international trade finance, ending as international marketing director. This was followed by small and medium-sized enterprise consulting in South Africa and Australia, specialising in the turnaround of distressed businesses

Size of First Pay Packet: R110 a month, in 1964

First Job with Present Group: Marketing director

Number of People under Your Leadership: 20

Management Style: Collaborative – until it becomes necessary to be authoritative

Personal Best Achievement: My children and grandchildren

Professional Best Achievement: Building the TMA into a nationally recognised association and a force to be reckoned with

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

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My father

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Winston Churchill

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Harry Oppenheimer

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Returning to South Africa to start Unleash Consulting and run the TMA-SA

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Lack of leadership and State capture

Hope for the Future: A turnaround in South Africa

Favourite Reading: Crime fiction

Favourite TV Programme: Nordic noir (The Bridge or Borgen)

Favourite Food/Drink: Single-malt whisky

Favourite Music: Classical

Favourite Sport: Cricket and rugby

Favourite Website: The Guardian and Hornby Model Railway

Hobbies: Enjoying South African birdlife and building model railways – I am also a steam train enthusiast

Car: Toyota

Pets: Koi

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Corruption, inefficiency and pessimism

Favourite Other South African Company: SABMiller

Favourite Foreign Company: Amazon

Married: To Jane

Children: Two boys, Andrew and Duncan

Clubs: Johannesburg Country Club and Rand Club