Full Name: Brandon Bekker

Position: MD of Mimecast Africa and the Middle East

Main Activity of the Company: Mimecast makes business emails and data safer for thousands of customers and their millions of employees worldwide

Date and Place of Birth: July 20, 1973, Cape Town

Education: Bachelor's degree, University of Stellenbosch

First Job: I worked in information technology sales

Career History Prior to Current Position: I have been with Mimecast since the beginning of 2008. Before being appointed for Africa and the Middle East, I served as regional and sales director and then MD of Mimecast South Africa. Prior to joining Mimecast, I managed Internet Solutions’ Cape Town business, after which I worked as sales director of Dimension Data

Size of First Pay Packet: R3 000 a month

First Job with Present Group: Sales and regional director, Mimecast South Africa

Value of Assets under Your Control: More than 5 000 customers across Africa and the Middle East

Number of People under Your Leadership: More than 130

Management Style: I am available, approachable and walk the floors to try to get to know everyone in the organisation. I set clear goals and priorities that everyone can understand

Personal Best Achievement: Being picked for the Western Province rugby team in 1998

Professional Best Achievement: Appointment as MD of Mimecast Middle East and Africa in March 2013

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: No one person stands out; I have been influenced by numerous people

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Again, I cannot think of any one person

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Usain Bolt

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: I am a fan of Jack Welch and, more recently, Satya Nadella

Philosophy of Life: Always be kind

Biggest Ever Opportunity: It is still coming

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Losing my father at a young age

Hope for the Future: A thriving South Africa without all the violent crime

Favourite Reading: I enjoy autobiographies (business and sport) and I like trawling for nuggets on LinkedIn

Favourite TV Programme: Of late, I have enjoyed Dragon’s Den

Favourite Food/Drink: Indian and Peruvian food/good wine

Favourite Music: AC/DC for rock and Hootie, Crowded House and The Parlotones for more chilled listening. Locally, I like Arno Carstens

Favourite Sport: Rugby, running and squash

Favourite Website: Tedtalks

Hobbies: Reading, relaxing with my family, running the odd marathon, playing league squash and playing veterans rugby in various parts of the world for Hamilton’s Dynamiters, the oldest rugby club in South Africa

Car: Porsche 911

Pets: A French bulldog and a cat

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Queues, bad losers, excuses and being rushed

Favourite Other South African Company: Investec, Growthpoint, OUTsurance, Woolworths and Virgin Active

Favourite Foreign Company: Emirates

Married: To Christina, since November 25, 2006

Children: Bianca, 10; Amber-Jade, 8

Clubs: Hamilton’s Rugby Club