Full Name: Matthew Christopher LiVigni

Position and Company Name: MD of Continental Tyre South Africa

Main Activity of the Company: Continental is a manufacturer of tyres for passenger cars, commercial and speciality vehicles, as well as two-wheelers. It also provides services for the tyre trade and fleet applications, as well as digital management systems for tyres

Date and Place of Birth: June 6, 1970, US

Schools and Tertiary Education: Bachelor of Business Administration (magna cum laude), Montreat College, US; Americas Leadership Program, Lancaster University, UK; Corporate Executive Development Program (Module 2 – Duke Leadership Program), The Fuqua School of Business, Duke University, US; Corporate Executive Development Program (Module 3 – Performance Through People), The Fuqua School of Business, Duke University

First Job: Grocery bagger during my last year of high school. The second job is most notable – I started at General Tire in 1988 in the mailroom

Career Path to Date: Apart from the three years from 1996 to 1999, I have been with Continental since 1988 and previously served as MD of Continental’s Tire Division in Canada

Number of People under Your Leadership: 1 000

Management Style: My primary job as a leader is not to have the best ideas and ensure the execution of those ideas, but to create a culture where these ideas come from the team as they are developed to live out their true potential and take ownership for the success of the organisation

Personal Best Achievement: Marrying my wife Paula and being the author of two books: Journey Bread Five Minute Meals for the Soul I and II

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: Jesus

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Not a person but a company – Continental Tire; it has given me the opportunity to grow and develop into the leader that I am today

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Nelson Mandela

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Chick-Fil-A chairperson Dan Cathy

Philosophy of Life: The best way to describe this is to give an idea of how I would like to be remembered when I’m gone in sharing my legacy statement: “Matt LiVigni was a devoted husband and Christ follower who gave more than he received during his time on this Earth. His heart and life were not only focused on enjoying each and every day but even more so in striving for eternal achievements that will be realised fully in the life to come. His encouraging words, passion for life and excellence in his leadership craft have left an impactful impression on all that have crossed his path. He humbly pointed the way to a better way to live and unveiled the secrets to living out an eternal life of love with his Heavenly Father not only by what he said but even more so by how he lived. He has left this world a better place than how he found it and his life will live on in all those whom he has encouraged along the way.”

Biggest Ever Opportunity: My current role

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Early in my career, I was assessed for a future executive position and was told that I would not really be anything other than a salesperson

Hope for the Future: Peace, love and equal opportunities for all mankind

Favourite Reading: Anything by Robin Sharma

Favourite TV Programme: Come Dine with Me South Africa

Favourite Food/Drink: Italian/wine

Favourite Music: Everything 80’s

Favourite Sport: NFL football (to watch) and tennis (to play)

Hobbies: My wife and I really enjoy good food and wine. We also play tennis and enjoy long morning walks in our beautiful wildlife estate

Car: BMW

Pets: We will always have rescue dogs; in fact, we have already rescued one here in South Africa

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Beets and asparagus

Married: To Paula Livigni, my beautiful Italian princess

Children: Louis Vuitton and Calvin Klein (rescue dogs)