Full Name: Charl McAllister

Position and Company Name: Head of marketing at Endress+Hauser

Main Activity of the Company: Process automation

Date and Place of Birth: September 4, 1985, Nelspruit, South Africa

Schools and Tertiary Education: A bachelor’s degree and an advanced diploma in process automation

First Job: Self-employed

Career History Prior to Current Position: I was sales and strategic business development manager for Southern Africa; area sales manager for Mpumalanga and Eswatini; acting area sales manager; and was in the external sales department from March 2016 to July 2017. Previously, I worked for Power Plant Electrical Technologies, initially as a sales specialist, and later as sales and marketing manager as well as corporate business development manager. I operated my own business from April 2005 to May 2006

Size of First Pay Packet: It was a long time ago, but R17 000 seems to ring a bell

First Job with Present Group: External sales engineer

Value of Assets under Your Control: Several million rands

Number of People under Your Leadership: Nine

Management Style: Delegative leadership, where I focus on empowering employees by trusting them to complete tasks and achieve goals with minimal oversight, while I focus on outcomes

Personal Best Achievement: Several achievements come to mind, but the one that stands out is the development, guidance and growth of my daughters into strong-willed, independent teenagers

Professional Best Achievement: Leading my sales team to receive various accolades, including Sales Area of the Year for several consecutive years, with Salesman of the Year awarded to a member of my team during the same period

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: The most special lady in my life: my wife, Calida

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: There are several people who have had a high level of influence on my career. You know who you are, and thank you!

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Sir Winston Churchill

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Steve Jobs

Philosophy of Life: I continually strive to be and do better today than yesterday as I try to leave a dent on the universe

Biggest Ever Opportunity: My career path with Endress+Hauser

Biggest Ever Disappointment: I prefer to think of these as my biggest learnings, and there have been many that have shaped the person I am today

Hope for the Future: A united and strong South Africa

Favourite Reading: Literature from CS Lewis

Favourite TV Programme: There are so many, but if I had to choose one, it would be Band of Brothers

Favourite Food/Drink: Rib-eye steak paired with one of Delheim’s Pinotage/Merlot red wines

Favourite Music: Anything from the 80s

Favourite Sport: Motorsports, golf and rugby

Favourite Website: Google News

Hobbies: Golfing, mountain biking, nature walks and, time permitting, video games

Car: The new Renault Koleos

Pets: Three poodles

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Pessimistic points of view

Favourite Other South African Company: Sappi Group

Favourite Foreign Company: Apple

Married: To Calida Jansen, since September 8, 2007

Children: Abbygail, 15; Emiley, 13

Clubs: Bryanston Country Club