Full Name: Timothy Hansen White

Position: Cofounder and CEO of Profica

Main Activity of the Company: Property and construction solutions

Date and Place of Birth: July 1973, Johannesburg

Education: BSc (Hons) (civil engineering), University of Cape Town; UK project management qualification

First Job: Working in my brother-in-law’s factory during school holidays, and then university vacation work on the N1 highway, in the Free State.

Career History Prior to Current Position: I spent four years managing and building roads and working on infrastructure projects in the North West, Limpopo and Mpumalanga. This was followed by another four years in London, where I managed iconic building projects in the city. When I returned to South Africa, I had a stint with a listed construction company, before cofounding Profica

Size of First Pay Packet: Less than R5 000 a month – after graduation

First Job with Present Group: Cofounder, 15 years ago

Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated

Number of People under Your Leadership: Over 70

Management Style: I am a service-focused leader and support my team to meet their potential

Personal Best Achievement: Probably reaching three of the seven summits

Professional Best Achievement: Being where I am right now

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: Several people over the years

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Not any one person, but, in the early days, it was Brent Harris, who conceptualised and set up Profica with me

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Siya Kolisi (who else!)

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Aliko Dangote

Philosophy of Life: What you put in is what you get out

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Starting Profica

Biggest Ever Disappointment: A few, but, strangely, they all morphed into opportunities later

Hope for the Future: That my country and its people continue to work together and grow together for the good of all

Favourite Reading: Generally, books associated with mountaineering (during holidays) and business and leadership books (during the year)

Favourite TV Programme: Blue Bloods

Favourite Food/Drink: Braai

Favourite Music: Quite varied – different music for different moods

Favourite Sport: Canoeing

Favourite Website: Pass

Hobbies: Canoeing and trail running

Car: A 2009 Toyota Prado with long-range tanks

Pets: One Jack Russel and one pavement special

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Vegetables

Favourite Other South African Company: Discovery, although I am not a client of the company – I like it more for its leader

Favourite Foreign Company: Amazon

Married: To Susan Pearson, since 2005

Children: Cameron, 10; Chris, 12

Clubs: Dabulamanzi Canoe Club