Full Name: Milé Sofijanic

Position and Company Name: MD of ECS Associates

Main Activity of the Company: ECS Associates is a contract and project management consulting, advisory services and training company

Date and Place of Birth: May 27, 1965, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Schools and Tertiary Education: BSc (Mechanical Engineering), University of Sarajevo; Halliburton Business Leadership Development Programme, Mays Business School, A&M University, College Station, Texas, US; PrEng

First Job: Junior engineer at the Volkswagen car factory in Sarajevo

Size of First Pay Packet: The equivalent of €1 000 a month, in 1990

Career Path to Date: I moved to Southern Africa in 1992, owing to the civil war in Bosnia, and worked at Kentz in Botswana and South Africa as project engineer, after which I joined Kellog Brown & Root in Johannesburg in 1996, becoming MD in 2005. I then worked for Murray & Roberts from 2008 until 2015, before joining ECS Associates

Value of Assets under Your Control: People are our greatest assets, and they are not under my control. However, from time to time, I provide some direction in the engineering and construction business, based on the lessons I have learnt

Number of People under Your Leadership: More than 50

Management Style: Collaborative, participative and engaging

Personal Best Achievement: Every time I give hope to those listening to me

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

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My colleagues

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Nelson Mandela

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Former Bigen Africa CEO Dr Snowy Khoza

Philosophy of Life: Everyone has something to be respected for

Biggest Ever Opportunity: To establish my family and career in Southern Africa

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Believing that life is fair to everyone

Hope for the Future: That South Africa unlocks its great potential and provides a better life for all

Favourite Reading: Novels based on historical events

Favourite TV Programme: Sporting events

Favourite Food/Drink: Mediterranean and Asian cuisine

Favourite Music: 80s

Favourite Sport: Football

Hobbies: Visit to nature, travel and social sport

Car: Any, if I have to use one

Pets: Not anymore

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Pettiness and bickering

Married: To Ranka

Children: Ana, 28; Marko, 25

Clubs: Still choosing