Name: Julie-May Ellingson

Position: CEO of the Cape Town International Conference Centre (CTICC)

Main Activity of the Company: The CTICC is a venue that hosts conferences, exhibitions, trade fairs and other events

Date and Place of Birth: May 10, Johannesburg

Education: A bachelor’s degree in development administration (economics) and a master’s degree in regional planning (economic development)

First Job: Junior travel consultant

Career History Prior to Current Position: CEO of the Durban International Convention Centre, head of strategic projects at the eThekwini municipality and a partner in Robinson Ellingson Planners, an urban and regional planning consultancy

Size of First Pay: R750 a month

First Job with Present Group: CEO

Value of Assets under Your Control: About R3-billion

Number of People under Your Control: 210 directly and about 300 indirectly

Management Style: I lead from the front, am firm but fair, and always lead with a sense of humour

Personal Best Achievement: Achieving a distinction for my master’s degree dissertation and being awarded the David Robins Award for the best master’s dissertation

Professional Best Achievement: Completing all the 2010 FIFA World Cup projects in Durban, including the Moses Mabhhida stadium, training venues in Umlazi, KwaMashu and Clermont, and public transport upgrades, besides others

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Dr Michael Sutcliffe

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Barack Obama

Philosophy of Life: Always stand up for what you believe in, no matter what; all it takes for evil to succeed is for good people to do nothing; if you do not have a sense of humour, you may as well be dead

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Heading up the 2010 FIFA World Cup for Durban

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not being able to continue horse riding after a serious accident

Hope for the Future: A safe, nonracial South Africa

Favourite Reading: Malcolm Gladwell

Favourite TV Programme: The Newsroom (sadly, I think the US politicians had it withdrawn – too close to home, perhaps)

Favourite Food/Drink: Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate and, of course, mojitos!

Favourite Music: UB40 and Carla Bruni

Favourite Sport: Show jumping, hiking and mountain biking (I am an amateur, at best)

Favourite Website: www.ted.com

Hobbies: Photography (I am not very good at it, though)

Car: Land Rover Discovery 4

Pets: Bentley, a bull dog, and Sassy, a rescue dog of mixed breed

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Dishonest people and green peppers

Favourite Other South African Company: Nando’s

Favourite Foreign Company: Schlaich Bergermann Partner, an international multidisciplinary engineering company that designs amazing buildings and structures

Married: To Larry Ellingson

Children: Kayleigh (daughter) and Brendan (son)

Clubs: Not stated