Full Name: Vishaal Lechram Lutchman

Position: CEO of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (Saice)

Main Activity of the Company: Saice is a voluntary association with about 15 000 members that provide technical leadership in support and enhancement of poverty alleviation, sustainable development and the development and maintenance of infrastructure

Date and Place of Birth: March 23, 1973, KwaDukuza (Stanger), KwaZulu-Natal

Education: BSc (engineering – civil), University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN); postgraduate diploma in business management, UKZN; MBA (strategic management), UKZN; national diploma in civil engineering, Durban University of Technology; MPhil (leadership), University of Johannesburg

First Job: Assistant engineer with Transnet at the Port of Durban

Career History Prior to Current Position: Port of Durban – assistant engineer, 1998 to 2005; infrastructure coordinator, 2005 to 2006; acting deputy chief engineer, 2006 to 2008; acting physical planner, 2008 to 2009; deputy chief engineer, 2009 to 2011; Royal HaskoningDHV – director of advisory group: maritime, 2012 to 2014; WSP/PB Africa – director: transport and infrastructure, 2014 to 2020

Size of First Pay Packet: Not stated

First Job with Present Company: CEO

Value of Assets under Your Control: Not stated

Number of People under Your Leadership: Saice’s national office employs 28 permanent staff members, but all 15 000 of its members look to Saice and its CEO for leadership

Management Style: I adjust my style to suit the occasion

Personal Best Achievement: Getting married and being the father of two boys

Professional Best Achievement: Being at the forefront of high-risk technical decisions in the development of mega port infrastructure in the Port of Durban

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father, for the lessons taught and only appreciated much later in life

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My many mentors

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Not stated

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Kofi Annan

Philosophy of Life: Not stated

Biggest Ever Opportunity: The opportunity to lead an industry of learned individuals to make a positive difference in the lives of our fellow South Africans

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not being able to say thank you sooner to those who have positively influenced my life

Hope for the Future: That South Africa teaches the world how to live together in peace

Favourite Reading: Malcolm Gladwell

Favourite TV Programme: History Channel

Favourite Food/Drink: Sushi

Favourite Music: Pop and classic

Favourite Sport: Cricket and rugby

Favourite Website: www.google.com

Hobbies: DIY and reading

Car: Subaru

Pets: None

Miscellaneous Dislikes: People who are unauthentic, inconsistent or manipulative and those who lack integrity

Favourite Other South African Company: Transnet

Favourite Foreign Company: Virgin Group

Married: To Monashree Lutchman, since August 7, 1999

Children: Kaeshav, 15; Darshik, 11

Clubs: None