Full Name: Derek Halstead-Cleak

Position: CEO of Kwikspace Modular Buildings

Main Activity of the Company: Kwikspace is Africa’s largest manufacturer of prefabricated and modular buildings

Date and Place of Birth: February 20, 1968, Zimbabwe.

Education: BSc (agriculture), MSc (agriculture – animal science), University of KwaZulu-Natal

First Job: Freight forwarding and logistics at UTi (now DSV)

Career History Prior to Current Position: I spent six years at UTi, ending up as GM of the Africa Exports Division; 16 years at Investec, in the principal investments (private equity) division; and two years at Bud Chemicals & Minerals as chief commercial director

Size of First Pay Packet: About R5 000 a month

First Job with Present Group: Nonexecutive director and chairperson

Value of Assets under Your Control: R380-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: More than 400

Management Style: Collaborative, communicative, participative, firm, fair and objective, with emphasis on committed conscientiousness, accountability and results

Personal Best Achievement: Twenty Comrades medals

Professional Best Achievement: Founding Iron Bridge Capital

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

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Ian Forbes, CEO of the Ferro group of companies and Bud Chemicals & Minerals

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Desmond Tutu

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Investec Bank CEO Stephen Koseff

Philosophy of Life: Time is the real currency of life – we should allocate it, invest it and spend it wisely; relationships are more important than wealth

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Working for UTi in New York in 1995 and 1996

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Being let down by people I trusted and believed in

Hope for the Future: That we, in South Africa, bring corruption under control, generate jobs and economic growth, deliver services, keep the lights on and save our magnificent rhinos

Favourite Reading: Sports autobiographies and Tony Park novels

Favourite TV Programme: SuperSport and Discovery Channel

Favourite Food/Drink: Bacon and eggs or beef fillet/red wine or champagne

Favourite Music: Modern rock and pop

Favourite Sport: Rugby, hockey and cricket

Favourite Website: www.youtube.com

Hobbies: Wildlife, endurance events and playing hockey

Car: Mercedes-Benz

Pets: Two Great Dane dogs

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Green, red and yellow peppers in airline food

Favourite Other South African Company: Roos Foods (a KFC franchisee business)

Favourite Foreign Company: Apple

Married: To Julia, since 1994

Children: Nicholas, 18; Murray, 13

Clubs: Dabulamanzi Canoe Club, The Country Club Johannesburg