Full Name: Christian Malan

Position: GM of Parker Hannifin South Africa Sales Company (SASC) since July 1, 2011, and MD of Parker Hannifin Africa since March 2012

Main Activity of the Company: SASC is a supplier of motion control engineering products to the South African market. Parker Hannifin is the world’s leading diversified manufacturer of motion and control technologies and systems, providing precision-engineered solutions for a variety of mobile, industrial and aerospace markets

Date and Place of Birth: November 29, 1973, Cape Town

Education: BTech (mechanical engineering), 1996, Cape Peninsula University of Technology; MBA, Warwick Business School (being completed)

First Job: Trainee manager at Clutch & Brake Supplies, Cape Town

Career History Prior to Current Position: I worked for Clutch & Brake Supplies in various sales and operational management roles from January 1994 to November 1999, before joining Parker Hannifin in the UK in January 2000. I returned to South Africa in July 2011

Size of First Pay Packet: R1 500 a month

First Job with Present Group: Mobile territory manager

Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated

Number of People under Your Leadership: 60

Management Style: Consultative, goal orientated

Personal Best Achievement: Diving on an HMHS Britannic expedition for a National Geographic documentary

Professional Best Achievement: Implementing Parker Fluid connectors at JCB Backhoe Loaders

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Learnt something from all my colleagues and managers

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: British mountaineer Sir Christian John Storey Bonington

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: South African-born Canadian-American business magnate, engineer, inventor and investor Elon Musk

Philosophy of Life: One life, live it

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Current business role

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Losing friends in the pursuit of adventure

Hope for the Future: That South Africa lives up to its potential

Favourite Reading: Biographies on or by adventurers

Favourite TV Programme: Sport

Favourite Food/Drink: Venison/red wine

Favourite Music: 90s alternative

Favourite Sport: Anything active and outdoors. I have completed the Comrades Marathon and Ironman

Favourite Website: News24

Hobbies: Raising children

Car: Toyota Fortuner

Pets: None, currently

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Laziness and a lack of accountability

Favourite Other South African Company: Bell Equipment

Favourite Foreign Company: Google

Married: To Fiona, for seven years

Children: Evelyn 5; William, 3; Brendan 1

Clubs: Kyalami Running Club