Full Name: Errol Kerst

Position: President, South African Institution of Civil Engineering (Saice)

Main Activity of the Company: Saice is a voluntary association focused on the promotion and development of the civil engineering profession

Date and Place of Birth: May, 19, 1953, Johannesburg

Education: BSc and MSc degrees in civil engineering, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)

First Job: Junior engineer at BKS, 1976

Career History Prior to Current Position: Director of Nako LBE Consulting Engineers prior to retirement in 2015

Size of First Pay Packet: R540 a month, 1976

First Job with Present Group: Chairperson of the Highveld branch, 1991

Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated

Number of People under Your Leadership: About 12 000 members

Management Style: Open-door, leading by example

Personal Best Achievement: Completing my first Midmar Mile in 2000

Professional Best Achievement: Being involved in the creation of the Nako group in 2013

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My mother – because the early years are the most important

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Professor JEB Jennings – my soil mechanics and engineering practice professor at Wits

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: International Toastmasters president Balraj Arunasalam

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Richard Branson

Philosophy of Life: Work hard, be involved and enjoy yourself

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being able to study civil engineering

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not being more musical

Hope for the Future: That our politicians listen to the knowledgeable technocrats in our country

Favourite Reading: Crime novels and engineering history

Favourite TV Programme: National Geographic

Favourite Food/Drink: Any meat and salads

Favourite Music: Not stated

Favourite Sport: Open-water swimming

Favourite Website: Booking.com

Hobbies: Any form of do-it-yourself around the house

Car: Mercedes-Benz GLC

Pets: Dogs, but none at present

Miscellaneous Dislikes: False and loud people

Favourite Other South African Company: Kulula Airlines

Favourite Foreign Company: Samsung

Married: To Sandy, since April 8, 1978

Children: Bridgette, 35; Lauren, 33; Nadine, 31

Clubs: Virgin Active, Crocodile Toastmasters Club