Full Name: Jason Paul Brewer

Position and Company Name: CEO of Marula Mining plc, executive chairperson of Neo Energy Metals plc, executive director of Gathoni Muchai Investments, executive director of Caracal Gold plc and director of Mayflowers Children’s Foundation

Main Activity of the Company: Marula Mining is a battery- and critical-metals-focused mine operator and mine developer in East and Southern Africa

Date and Place of Birth: September 26, 1969, Plymouth, UK

Education: Master of Mining Engineering with Honours at the Royal School of Mines, Imperial College, London University; Centre for Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy, Dundee University

First Job: Graduate mining engineer, Kinross Mines Limited

Size of First Pay Packet: R1 756 a month

Career Path to Date: From mining engineer roles in South Africa’s gold sector to copper, zinc and nickel mining in Canada and Australia, to investment banking and mining finance with Kleinwort Benson, Rothschild and Investec in London and Australia, to resource funds management and corporate advisory in Australia and, finally, to executive board positions establishing, building and managing Africa-focused and London and Australian stock exchange listed mining companies

Value of Assets under Your Control: Combined, it would be easily over $100-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: In the order of over 300 throughout East and Southern Africa

Management Style: I aim to empower the people and teams I work with by setting a clear vision and ambitious goals and then trusting in their ability and talent to deliver. I take an honest approach, collaborate closely with the team and encourage them to take ownership – demonstrating a relentless work ethic and personal drive

Personal Best Achievement: Making that decision at such an early age to leave the UK and first head to Africa and Australia and to now live in Kenya. Backing myself and just doing it

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My wife, Jacquie, for showing me what is truly important in life and giving me the chance to be the person I always wanted to be

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My father, who instilled in me my work ethic and the belief that if you work hard, you will get your just rewards

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Michael Caine

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Sir Richard Branson

Philosophy of Life: We all rise together. Family. Everyone has a right to success and to improve their life and build a family and if I can help others achieve that in any way, then I’ve accomplished far more than I could possibly have imagined possible as a young boy growing up in the UK

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Leaving Australia during Covid-19 and coming to Kenya for a planned three months and finding myself still here after almost five years. During this period, I have been able to see things so much clearer and without a lot of the noise that was in the market and also being able to secure projects and opportunities while the rest of the world was largely sleeping

Biggest Ever Disappointment: There is no real ‘biggest ever’. I tend to take things very personally – I think it’s hard not to, given the roles I’ve taken on. For me, setbacks are just moments to refocus and come back stronger

Hope for the Future: That people are able to live real lives, not ones shaped by what they think they should be doing because of social media platforms and influencers. Get up, get out there – live, breathe and explore the world and all it has to offer.

Favourite Reading: A Doctor’s War, by Rowley Richards, and The Book of Joy, by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama

Favourite TV Programme: Ted Lasso

Favourite Food/Drink: Nyama choma and githiri, a Kenyan dish, and coffee – lots of it

Favourite Music: Sons of the East, Hollow Coves

Favourite Sport: Football

Hobbies: Running up mountains, cycling and crazy extreme sports

Car: Black Jaguar XF – I need a new car!

Pets: None currently, but I previously had a British Bulldog

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Arrogance, dishonesty and self-importance in people

Married: To Jacquie Muchai

Children: Sam, 28; Ash, 26; Robyn, 24; my beautiful wife’s son Neo, 7; and hopefully more to come

Clubs: Nkanas Football Club, Namanga