Full Name: Wale Arewa

Position: CEO of Experien

Main Activity of the Company: Xperien is a provider of secure information technology asset disposal (ITAD) services

Date and Place of Birth: Leeds, UK

Education: BSc (quantity surveying), Greenwich University, London, UK

First Job: Quantity surveyor at Basil Cohen & Partners

Career History Prior to Current Position: I moved from construction to computers during the 1993 recession in the UK

Size of First Pay Packet: £13 000 a year

First Job with Present Group: I founded the company 17 years ago

Value of Assets under Your Control: R75-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: More than 50

Management Style: Lao Tzu – “When the best leader’s work is done, the people say: ‘We did it ourselves’”

Personal Best Achievement: Establishing a cycling team

Professional Best Achievement: Helping to establish the ITAD market and creating awareness of the Protection of Personal Information Act of 2013

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My mother – she was exceptionally hard working

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Richard Branson

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Richard Branson

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Elon Musk

Philosophy of Life: You can always do better

Biggest Ever Opportunity: It is yet to come

Biggest Ever Disappointment: I cannot remember any

Hope for the Future: Establishing more companies that add value to society

Favourite Reading: Half of a Yellow Sun

Favourite TV Programme: Formula 1

Favourite Food/Drink: Mediterranean/beer

Favourite Music: Afro pop

Favourite Sport: Cycling

Favourite Website: Google

Hobbies: Travelling

Car: Porsche 911 4S

Pets: Dobermans – Troy and Ruby

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Apathy, procrastination and laziness

Favourite Other South African Company: First National Bank

Favourite Foreign Company: Ethereum

Married: To Rosemunde, since 1986

Children: Dominic, 31; Lateefah, 22; Sheriffah, 21

Clubs: Institute of Directors