Full Name: Alistair Robert Bennett

Position and Company Name: MD of SkyJacks

Main Activity of the Company: Established in 1978, and now part of Waco International, SkyJacks specialises in the hire, sales and service of access, lifting and handling equipment. The company’s solutions enable safe and efficient operations in sectors such as construction, mining, power generation, industrial maintenance and logistics. SkyJacks partners with leading original-equipment manufacturers to ensure access to the latest technology and world-class equipment, including Dingli mobile elevated work platforms, Faresin telehandlers, Jekko mini cranes, GEDA construction hoists, Hyundai forklifts and Sky Climber suspended access platforms

Date and Place of Birth: September 30, 1967, Johannesburg

Schools and Tertiary Education: Matric, Marist Brothers Linmeyer, in Johannesburg; National Higher Diploma in Civil Engineering, Technikon Witwatersrand, one of the institutions that merged to form the University of Johannesburg in 2005

First Job: Engineer-in-training at Goldstein Civils in Johannesburg

Size of First Pay Packet: R800 a month

Career Path to Date: I began my career at Goldstein Civils in the early 1990s, working on large-scale civil engineering projects. Over the past three decades, I have gained extensive experience across the civil engineering, industrial services, and equipment rental industries, serving the mining, power generation, process, oil and gas, and construction sectors. I joined Waco in 2006, initially with SGB-Cape, where I held several senior positions, including regional manager for Africa operations and later divisional director. Following Waco’s acquisition of SkyJacks in 2015, I was appointed MD, with a focus on driving growth through an expanded product portfolio, establishing global distribution partnerships, and implementing strategies to enhance sustainability

Number of People under Your Leadership: 180

Management Style: Collaborative, with a strong focus on developing talent and driving growth

Personal Best Achievement: Leading SkyJacks through a period of transformation and growth after its acquisition by Waco International in 2015

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

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

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: British broadcaster, natural historian and author David Attenborough

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Sibanye-Stillwater CEO Neal Froneman

Philosophy of Life: Focus on long-term value, act with integrity and create an environment for people to thrive

Biggest Ever Opportunity: The chance to lead SkyJacks and position the business as a trusted partner for world-class equipment solutions in South Africa

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Witnessing South Africa’s potential being constrained by poor governance and corruption

Hope For the Future: To see South Africa thrive, with a strong economy that creates real opportunities for the youth to realise their full potential

Favourite Reading: Historical fiction

Favourite TV Programme: Documentaries

Favourite Food/Drink: Good steak and a glass of wine

Favourite Music: 1980s

Favourite Sport: Cycling and golf

Hobbies: Travelling and reading

Car: Audi A4

Pets: A Jack Russell and a Pekingese

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Unnecessary bureaucracy and negativity

Married: To Mandy

Children: None

Clubs: Glendower Colf Club and Mount Edgecombe Country Club