Full Name: Koketso Seripe

Position: CE of Etion Digitise

Main Activity of the Company: Etion Digitise, previously Ansys Rail, provides digital safety and environmental management systems ranging from sensors, asset management, telematics and the Internet of Things

Date and Place of Birth: December 10, 1975

Education: Chemical engineering, Vaal University of Technology, 1997; practical project management, University of South Africa (Unisa), 2005; advanced project management, Unisa, 2006; MBA, Milpark Business School, 2011

First Job: Waiter

Career History Prior to Current Position: I served in various positions at KBR Inc, including process engineer (2002 to 2004), project engineer (2004 to 2005) and project manager (2005 to 2007). I then became national marketing manager at Lafarge (2008 to 2009), business development manager at SNC-Lavalin South Africa (2009 to 2013) and director of business development for the Mining & Minerals Business Unit (Africa and Europe) of Fluor Corporation (2013 to 2017)

Size of First Pay Packet: R500 a month, as a waiter

First Job with Present Group: CE

Management Style: Situational

Personal Best Achievement: Successful completion of an offshore project as project manager

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

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Various managers and colleagues

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Warren Buffett

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Warren Buffett

Philosophy of Life: An extra mile ahead is less crowded

Biggest Ever Opportunity: International business exposure

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Coming a close second on a bid

Hope for the Future: That safe, efficient, profitable production becomes the norm industrywide

Favourite Reading: Literature on mind power

Favourite TV Programme: How It’s Made

Favourite Food/Drink: Pasta

Favourite Music: Any good music

Favourite Sport: Boxing

Favourite Website: The Etion website

Favourite Other South African Company: Discovery

Favourite Foreign Company: Fluor

Hobbies: Reading, running, soccer

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Ineffective meetings

Married: To Tebogo

Children: Thabo and Refilwe

Clubs: The Good Guys