Full Name: Nishen Hariparsad

Position and Company Name: GM for technology and marketing at BME

Main Activity of the Company: BME is a blasting solutions and mining services supplier with an international footprint. It offers a wide range of explosives products, mining chemicals and services

Date and Place of Birth: December 2, 1978, Durban, South Africa

Schools and Tertiary Education: Matric, Beverton Secondary School; Diploma in Chemical Engineering, Durban University of Technology; Management Development Programme, Gordon Institute of Business Science; MBA, Milpark Business School; Applied Logistics and Advanced Supply Chain Management, Wits

First Job: Process controller at Sasol in Sasolburg

Size of First Pay Packet: R1 134.67 a month

Career Path to Date: I began my career at Sasol through its graduate programme, earning a Gold Top Achiever award and a distinction, which led to roles in process engineering and plant commissioning. I then moved into the automotive sector at Johnson Matthey as an engineer and line manager, followed by production management at PG Bison. At Hall Longmore, a Murray & Roberts company, I progressed into factory management, business development, IT management, and office management. I was later appointed head of supply chain and IT for Africa at Saint Gorbain Abrasives. I subsequently joined Orica, the largest supplier of commercial explosives globally, where I progressed through multiple roles within product, process, implementation and support services, and finally into product management, gaining experience in commercial strategy, brand management, product lifecycle and strategies. I then became GM for sub-equatorial Africa at Davey Bickford, leading growth, before supporting electronic initiation systems at Enaex Africa. This experience positioned me for my current role at BME

Number of People under Your Leadership: 105

Management Style: A blended management approach incorporating participative, transformational and influential styles, adapted to environment and situation

Personal Best Achievement: That’s still coming – I keep pushing forward, and calling out a ‘best achievement’ now would be premature, given all that I aim to achieve

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My mother. Although our relationship was strained when I was younger, her belief in my potential and the values she instilled in me as a teacher – growth, leadership and direction – have deeply influenced my decision-making and drive in my career

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My family – my wife and children inspire me to be better. My children see me as a role model and support my ideas, while my wife brings perspectives from her own life and career, both shaping my growth ambitions and career aspirations

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, regarded by many as the most successful manager in football history. He is renowned for rebuilding teams, sustaining success across generations, and developing football legends – lessons that resonate strongly with the business world

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Vusi Thembekwayo, who, through hard work, rose from humble beginnings to become a millionaire businessperson, global speaker and influencer

Philosophy of Life: I am not sure who said it, or where I heard it, but I live by the idea that there are three types of people: those who make it happen; those who watch it happen; and those who wonder how it happened. I strive to make it happen in my career, personal life, and business ventures, and aim to continue doing so

Biggest Ever Disappointment: The fact that climate change is real

Favourite TV Programme: Macgyver (it might be a bit old for many to remember) – it possibly influenced why I chose a career in engineering

Favourite Food/Drink: Popcorn

Favourite Music: R&B, and old-school classics

Favourite Sport: Formula 1 racing, Dakar racing, soccer

Hobbies: Motorsport, tinkering with mechanics, and woodwork

Car: A few brands, ranging from classy and sporty to outdoorsy

Pets: A Dachund named Rex, as in T-rex

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Poor planning, lack of organisation, slow decision-making, admin, and cabbage

Clubs: Several car clubs