Full Name: Brian Ernest Howarth

Position: MD of Magnet Electrical Supplies

Main Activity of the Company: Electrical solutions provider to industry

Date and Place of Birth: August 9, 1957, Durban

Education: Diploma in electrical engineering; electrical engineer’s certificate of competence

First Job: Learner technical assistant at Durban Electricity

Career History Prior to Current Position: I started as a technical assistant at Durban Electricity in 1976 and qualified as an electrical engineer four years later. In 1982, I was promoted to depot engineer at the Phoenix depot, in charge of 150 staff and responsible for the electrical network in the area. I joined the family business, Magnet Electrical Supplies, as sales director in 1986, becoming MD ten years later

Size of First Pay Packet: R200 a month

First Job with Present Group: Sales director

Value of Assets under Your Control: R85-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: 110

Management Style: Leading by example, collaborative and engaging

Personal Best Achievement: Various sporting achievements, including participating in the Comrades and Dusi events, as well as educating my children and having a successful family life

Professional Best Achievement: Running a successful business for 35 years

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

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My parents, both of whom have since passed on

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Elon Musk

Businessperson Who Has impressed You Most: Not stated

Philosophy of Life: Work hard, play hard

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Joining the family business, and being involved in the electrical industry, where technology is evolving to improve energy efficiency and create renewable energy

Biggest Ever Disappointment: People you invest time in letting you down

Hope for the Future: An end to corruption in this beautiful country as well as much-needed structural economic changes that create more business opportunities and jobs for all

Favourite Reading: Autobiographies of business leaders, Wilbur Smith

Favourite TV Programme: Sports programmes

Favourite Food/Drink: Braai and Jameson Whiskey

Favourite Music: Hits of the 60s and 70s

Favourite Sport: Golf and mountain biking

Favourite Website: Amazon

Hobbies: Playing sport, hiking, water sports

Car: Land Rover

Pets: I have a dog

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Dishonesty, laziness, people who think the world owes them

Favourite Other South African Company: Boxer Stores

Favourite Foreign Company: Schneider Electric

Married: To Colette Raetzer, since December 19, 1981

Children: I am a proud father of two daughters: Nicole, 35, and Monique, 33

Clubs: Royal Durban Golf Club and Durban Ski Boat Club