Full Name: Christopher Eibl

Position: GM of ESAB South Africa, a division of Howden Donkin

Main Activity of the Company: ESAB South Africa is a supplier of ESAB welding and cutting products

Date and Place of Birth: March, 1973, Johannesburg

Education: MBL, School of Business Leadership, University of South Africa (Unisa), 2005; BCom, Unisa, 2002; business management diploma, South African Institute of Management, 1998; national diploma in metallurgical engineering (physical), Technikon Witwatersrand (which merged with other institutions to create the University of Johannesburg), 1993

First Job: Trainee metallurgist at McWade Productions

Career History Prior to Current Position: MD of Arc1, CEO of Xeon Holdings, MD of ESAB Africa, marketing director of ESAB Asia-Pacific and senior business manager of Afrox

Size of First Pay Packet: R1 000 a month

First Job with Present Group: Marketing director

Value of Assets under Your Control: Over R100-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: 55

Management Style: Transformational and interactive

Personal Best Achievement: Being married, with three beautiful daughters

Professional Best Achievement: The start-up of ESAB Africa and turning it into a multi-hundred-million-rand business within three years

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

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Clay Kiefaber, former CEO of ESAB and Colfax Global

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Novak Djokovic

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Not stated

Philosophy of Life: Work hard, play hard

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Leading ESAB Africa

Biggest Ever Disappointment: A setback suffered by ESAB Africa as a result of a failed black economic empowerment transaction

Hope for the Future: That South Africa becomes a truly nonracial, nonsexist society

Favourite Reading: Wilbur Smith

Favourite TV Programme: Game of Thrones

Favourite Food/Drink: I love all healthy food and drink

Favourite Music: Rock

Favourite Sport: Tennis

Favourite Website: None

Hobbies: Working out in the gym and spending quality time with my family

Car: BMW

Pets: A Biewer Terrier

Miscellaneous Dislikes: People who see their point of view only and do not take the time to expand their knowledge base

Favourite Other South African Company: Sasol

Favourite Foreign Company: Airbus

Married: To Melony Kleb, since October 18, 1997

Children: Hannah, 16; Kayla, 15; Courtney, 13

Clubs: Planet Fitness