Full Name: Brenton Brian Kemp

Position: MD of Criterion Equipment

Main Activity of the Company: Criterion Equipment is the sole distributor of TCM forklift trucks in South Africa and several neighbouring countries

Date and Place of Birth: July 1, 1973, George, South Africa

Education: National diploma (cost and management accounting), Port Elizabeth Technikon (Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University); MDP and GEDP, Gordon Institute of Business Science

First Job: Costing trainee for Aberdare Cables' Standford Road factory

Career History Prior to Current Position: While in my current post, I was jointly appointed MD of CSE (Case Construction, Turf Division and Cartcom) in 2013. I relinquished responsibility for CSE in January 2017 to focus on building Criterion Equipment. Prior to joining Criterion Equipment, I was a key account manager at Imperial Logistics, looking after the Nampak group of companies. Prior to that, I occupied various positions within various operating companies of the Powertech group of companies, which is part of the Altron group

Size of First Pay Packet: R2 000 a month

First Job with Present Group: GM – this was shortly after Criterion Equipment's takeover by Invicta Holdings

Value of Assets under Your Control: R150-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: About 160

Management Style: I subscribe to an open-door policy, encouraging open dialogue

Personal Best Achievement: Maintaining balance between work and family life, and fathering two beautiful daughters

Professional Best Achievement: Leading Criterion Equipment (materials handling sector) and CSE (construction equipment supply industry, including specialised turf equipment and golf carts)

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My late father – the misfortunes he experienced during his career as an entrepreneur and the consequences of those misfortunes motivate and drive me to excel

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: The several mentors I have had

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Donald Trump – I am quite bemused by his leadership style

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Businesspeople who have ‘made it’, despite their humble beginnings

Philosophy of Life: Work hard, stay motivated, be positive and remain focused on the big picture

Biggest Ever Opportunity: My current position

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Ongoing company closures and restructures during the early part of my career

Hope for the Future: World peace, stabilisation of global economies, double-digit growth in South Africa and prosperity for all its citizens

Favourite Reading: I should, but do not read a lot; when I do read, it is generally business-related books

Favourite TV Programme: I am not a big TV fan, but the shows I prefer include Carte Blanche, Air Crash Investigators, CSI-type programmes

Favourite Food/Drink: A good old South African braai

Favourite Music: Afrikaans music

Favourite Sport: Rugby and limited-overs cricket

Favourite Website: www.news24.com and www.google.com

Hobbies: Being in the outdoors

Car: Toyota Landcruiser Prado

Pets: Four dogs – two Labradors and two miniature dachshunds

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Disorganisation and untidiness

Favourite Other South African Company: Altron and Imperial

Favourite Foreign Company: None

Married: To Caroline, since August 12, 2000

Children: Tayla, 16; Tamrin, 14

Clubs: None