Full Name: Andrew Middleton

Position and Company Name: CEO and cofounder of GoSolr

Main Activity of the Company: GoSolr is a solar subscription company

Date and Place of Birth: Johannesburg, South Africa

Schools and Tertiary Education: I attended St Stithians College and then went to the University of Cape Town

First Job: I worked in corporate finance at Questco

Size of First Pay Packet: R15 000 a month

Career Path to Date: I was in investment banking for 14 years before cofounding GoSolr in 2021

Number of People under Your Leadership: 100-plus

Management Style: I like people to have a bit of autonomy, so I keep it relatively decentralised. I will help guide team members but, generally, I try to empower the management team to make their own decisions and agree on the framework with me upfront. I then let them run with it once we have agreed on some principles

Personal Best Achievement: GoSolr is right up there. It’s the first business I have jointly set up, and it has been the highlight of my professional career so far

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My first son – he has special needs and has changed my perspective on life

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: The chairperson of GoSolr, Kobus Viljoen, who has been a mentor and good friend to me

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Warren Buffett

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: I’m going to go with Adrian Gore

Philosophy of Life: There are many philosophies, but if I had to choose one, I would say having a balanced life. Work-life balance is essential, and I have always worked hard but I try to find time to balance life with some fun personal hobbies or interests

Biggest Ever Opportunity: It was when the cofounders of GoSolr asked me to run the business. There are five founders, but I was given the privilege of leading the team

Biggest Ever Disappointment: I would say it is South Africa’s current failure to reach its full potential. When I was growing up, it was the Nelson Mandela era, and there was a lot of positivity. I am still very positive, but we haven’t necessarily lived up to our full potential and I hope we get there quite soon

Hope For the Future: A more equal society

Favourite Reading: Shoe Dog: The story of Nike, by Phil Knight

Favourite TV Programme: Billions

Favourite Food/Drink: Italian food and a glass of red wine

Favourite Music: Rock

Favourite Sport: Rugby

Hobbies: Listening to music, watching films and going out for dinners. I also love travelling when I get the chance

Car: Toyota – it’s reliable

Pets: I don’t have any pets at the moment, but I had some in the past. I have two little boys, so I will probably have some pets quite soon

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Traffic congestion and potholes

Married: I am married to Calli

Children: James and Nick

Clubs: Country Club Johannesburg