Full Name: Thierry Legrand

Position: CEO of Lafarge Industries South Africa since 2009

Main Activity of the Company: Lafarge is a world leader in building materials, including cement, aggregates, readymix and plasterboard

Date and Place of Birth: May 1, 1966, Nancy, France

Education: Ecole Polytechnique, Paris, France, majoring in physics and materials sciences; Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussees, Paris, France, industrial engineering degree

First Job: Information technology (IT) project engineer at Lafarge

Size of First Pay Packet: R11 250 a month – the rand was twice as strong as the French franc in those days

First Job with Present Group: IT project engineer

Career History Prior to Current Position: IT project engineer, cement process and production manager, cement plant manager, human resources director, Lafarge Gips GM and CEO of Lafarge Industries South Africa

Value of Assets under Your Control: More than R4-billion

Number of People under Your Leadership: 2 300

Management Style: Democratic and participative

Personal Best Achievement: Being part of a wonderful family

Professional Best Achievement: Being in a position to recruit and develop exceptional talent for Lafarge as human resources director

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

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: A mentor I was privileged to have guide me in my career

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Nelson Mandela

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: The late Antoine Riboud, founder of world food giant Danone. He built up the former glass business into one of the leading global food companies, famous for its yoghurts and Evian mineral water

Philosophy of Life: Never leave for tomorrow what you can do today

Biggest Ever Opportunity: The industrial and media crises in Nice, France, resulted in my working closely with senior management of the company

Biggest Ever Disappointment: I cannot recall

Hope for the Future: Improved educational opportunities for all

Favourite Reading: Anything related to history

Favourite TV Programme: Sports programmes

Favourite Food/Drink: Cheese/wine

Favourite Music: Eclectic – I enjoy a wide range of music, from classic to jazz and rock

Favourite Sport: Snow skiing

Favourite Website: Yahoo, for French news updates

Hobbies: Travelling with my family to new and interesting places

Car: Volvo XC90

Pets: No, but if my daughter’s two hamsters count, then, yes, Speedy and Oasis

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Arrogance and disrespect

Favourite Other South African Company: South African Breweries

Favourite Foreign Company: Audi, as part of the Volkswagen stable. The manner in which IT refreshed and revamped market perception of their brand is very impressive

Married: To Helene

Children: Two young daughters and a toddler son

Clubs: None