Full Name: Tillmann Olsen

Position: Regional president of Bosch Rexroth Africa and CEO of Bosch Rexroth South Africa (formerly Hytec Holdings)

Main Activity of the Company: Drive and control technology (hydraulics, pneumatics and factory automation)

Date and Place of Birth: 1971, Germany

Education: MBA

First Job: Bosch International Trainee Programme

Career History Prior to Current Position: I held positions in Germany (postmerger integration), China (purchasing), Germany again (mergers and acquisitions), France (CFO: France and at the factory in Lyon)

Size of First Pay Packet: That was still in German Deutsche marks!

First Job with Present Group: Trainee in the controlling department

Number of People under Your Leadership: About 900

Management Style: Consistently demanding and inspiring employees to enable exceptional performance

Personal Best Achievement: Raising three good children with my wife

Professional Best Achievement: Restructuring a business together with the unions in France

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: Many role models, including my father

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: A succession of Bosch Rexroth CFOs who have mentored me

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Congolese doctor Denis Mukwege, who is a Nobel Peace Prize winner

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Richard Branson

Philosophy of Life: To die young as late as possible

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Meeting my wife

Biggest Ever Disappointment: People betraying their values and abusing power for selfish reasons

Hope for the Future: Seeing my children thrive and leading happy, responsible lives

Favourite Reading: Thinking, Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman

Favourite Food/Drink: French food and a good wine

Favourite Music: A mix of modern songs – I exchange playlists with the children

Favourite Sport: Off-piste skiing, mountain biking and hiking

Hobbies: Travelling

Car: As safe as can be (Volvo)

Pets: Silver, a white Swiss shepherd

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Arrogance

Favourite Other South African Company: Nongovernmental organisation Pure Hope School and Lift Clinic for the Woodlane Village residence, in Pretoria

Favourite Foreign Company: The United Nations – I have always admired its work but cannot stand its bureaucracy

Married: Yes

Children: Three teenagers

Clubs: Virgin Active