Full Name: Pherdy William le Roux

Position: MD of GVK-Siya Zama Building Contractors Gauteng

Main Activity of the Company: Construction

Date and Place of Birth: August 15, 1982, Pretoria

Education: Diploma in building science and various executive development qualifications

First Job: Junior quantity surveyor

Career History Prior to Current Position: I held various positions in the construction industry, before joining GVK-Siya Zama as contracts manager; later I was promoted to contracts director and subsequently MD

Size of First Pay Packet: R3 000 a month

First Job with Present Group: Contracts manager

Value of Assets under Your Control: Turnover of R1-billion a year

Number of People under Your Leadership: 180

Management Style: Consultative

Personal Best Achievement: Improved self-awareness after facing difficult challenges in my life

Professional Best Achievement: Appointment as divisional head of a listed company at the age of 30 and my recent appointment as MD

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

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Joe Rader

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Elon Musk

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Patrice Motsepe

Philosophy of Life: Commitment, resilience and perseverance will take you far

Biggest Ever Opportunity: The opportunity to work overseas – I was selected over numerous candidates

Biggest Ever Disappointment: The current state of the construction industry in South Africa, where so many construction businesses are closing down

Hope for the Future: Economic stability in South Africa

Favourite Reading: Nonfiction, Popular Mechanics and other interesting magazines

Favourite TV Programme: Discovery Channel

Favourite Food/Drink: Anything Jamie Oliver – I am a fan; red wine

Favourite Music: Acoustic music – Dave Matthews Band, Jack Johnson, David Gray and John Mayer

Favourite Sport: Golf

Favourite Website: LinkedIn, Mental Floss

Hobbies: Golf and fly-fishing

Car: Toyota Fortuner

Pets: A Weimaraner

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Tomatoes

Favourite Other South African Company: The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research

Favourite Foreign Company: Virgin

Married: Divorced

Children: Cailyn Janet, 11; Connor William, 9

Clubs: Project Management Professionals