Full Name: Niroshma Chetty

Position and Company Name: CEO of Avon and Dedisa Peaking Power

Main Activity of the Company: As open-cycle gas-turbine facilities, Avon and Dedisa play a pivotal role in South Africa by providing electricity during periods of peak demand. The plants’ primary function is to ensure a reliable supply of electricity, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to sustainable and dependable energy solutions

Date and Place of Birth: March 7, 1976, KwaZulu-Natal

Schools and Tertiary Education: Matric, Port Shepstone Secondary School; BCom, University of South Africa (Unisa); LLB, Unisa; MBA, Management College of Southern Africa

First Job: I started my working career at Telkom

Size of First Pay Packet: R 2 400 a month

Career Path to Date: I spent the first 15 years of my working career in the telecommunications industry – ten at Telkom and five at Neotel – and I have been in the energy sector for ten years now, having worked for Cennergi, Emvelo, Karoshoek Solar One and ENGIE. In the energy sector, I have gained experience on wind, concentrated solar power and peaking power technologies

Value of Assets under Your Control: We are a private company; hence, we cannot disclose this

Number of People under Your Leadership: 10

Management Style: Transformational – I am a firm believer that there is never an end to learning

Personal Best Achievement: My beautiful baby girl

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My parents – both were extremely humble and hardworking. At 79, my father was still driving

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My husband – he believes in me and pushes me beyond capabilities I never thought I had

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Richard Branson

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Total Southern Africa CEO Mariam Kane-Garcia

Philosophy of Life: Believe in yourself. There is certainly a solution to every problem, irrespective of its complication or size

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Growing up on a farm has given me unique life experiences

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Having lost both my parents before the birth of my baby girl

Hope for the Future: Silently continue dreaming of the world you wish to realise

Favourite Reading: Shantaram, by Gregory David Roberts

Favourite TV Programme: Suits

Favourite Food/Drink: Indian food

Favourite Music: A Whiter Shade of Pale, by Procol Haram

Favourite Sport: Formula 1

Hobbies: Reading autobiographies, fiction and nonfiction, as well as watching films about Mount Kailash and Mount Everest

Car: Mercedes-Benz

Pets: Five chickens (show bantams)

Miscellaneous Dislikes: I highly dislike the saying “Trust you well”

Married: To Richard Chetty

Children: A baby girl – Shashi Chetty

Clubs: 5am Club