Full Name: Robert John Ross

Position: Divisional MD, Southey Contracting

Main Activity of the Company: Thermal insulation; access scaffolding; industrial surface protection, including thermal spraying; heating, ventilation and air-conditioning ducting; fireproofing; and asbestos abatement

Date and Place of Birth: November 1, 1969, Johannesburg

Education: Matric, Hillcrest High, Durban, 1988; construction management, 1994, SPMP, 1996, Durban University of Technology; executive development programme, Henley Business School, 2013

First Job: Trainee supervisor, Genrec Construction, 1991

Career History Prior to Current Position: I started my career at the Murray & Roberts group in 1991 and remained in the construction industry until I joined the Southey Holdings group in my current position

Size of First Pay Packet: R1 300 a month

First Job with Present Group: Divisional MD

Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated

Number of People under Your Leadership: Varies, but currently 480

Management Style: Consultative and team-orientated, with clear open communication and an understanding of expectations at all levels

Personal Best Achievement: Raising two wonderful young women

Professional Best Achievement: My current position at Southey Holdings

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

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: I have been fortunate enough to work closely with some great business leaders in our industry, but Barry Wickins, CEO of Southey Holdings, has been particularly influential

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Kelly Slater, at the Surf Ranch

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Adrian Gore

Philosophy of Life: Life has no remote – get up and change it yourself

Biggest Ever Opportunity: My current position

Biggest Ever Disappointment: The amount of plastic in the ocean

Hope for the Future: That South Africa bursts with opportunity for economic resurgence and political healing and that, irrespective of race, we come together as a united people and we all prosper

Favourite Reading: Wilbur Smith, Ken Follett, Bernard Cornwell

Favourite TV Programme: Peaky Blinders and any historical fiction

Favourite Food/Drink: Pizza, with a good Cabernet

Favourite Music: I have a fairly broad musical taste but particularly enjoy Indie alternative rock

Favourite Sport: International rugby (watching) and fly-fishing (participating) – I am also a part-time surfer

Favourite Website: Daily Maverick and Yeti stories

Hobbies: Fly-fishing and fly-fishing!

Car: Toyota Fortuner V6

Pets: Two Yorkshire terriers: Chelsea and Teddy

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Crowded shopping centres, queues and arrogant and negative people

Favourite Other South African Company: Discovery and takealot.com

Favourite Foreign Company: Apple

Married: To Wendy Wright, since December 10, 1994

Children: Tayla Jane, 21; Jordyn Paige, 18

Clubs: Natal Fly Fishers Club, Point Water Sports Club