Full Name: Warne Rippon

Position: Executive director of Allied Steelrode

Main Activity of the Company: Supply and processing of steel

Date and Place of Birth: August 31, 1966, Grahamstown

Education: Matric, Kingswood College, Grahamstown

First Job: Selling plastic packaging for my father

Career History Prior to Current Position: I was given my first career opportunity – and introduction to the steel industry – in 1992 by my mentor, seasoned steel industry professional Jimmy Breakey. I worked for Debrell Steel till 1994, when they closed down. I then founded Steelrode in 1994 and ran it as the owner and MD until it merged with Allied Chemical & Steel in 2012

Size of First Pay Packet: R250 – a starting salary in 1986!

First Job with Present Group: Founder and MD

Value of Assets under Your Control: About R2.7-billion

Number of People under Your Leadership: 510 (locally and in sub-Saharan Africa)

Management Style: Short and sweet

Personal Best Achievement: Marrying my wife, and my two children

Professional Best Achievement: Founding Steelrode and, subsequently, the very successful merger with Allied Chemical & Steel to form Allied Steelrode, as well as the contribution we have made to the steel industry as a whole

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My parents and my mentor, Jimmy Breakey, who introduced me to the steel industry, for which I have had a lifelong passion

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Jimmy Breakey and my business partner and CEO of Allied Steelrode, Arun Chadha

Persons You Would Most Like to Meet: Marcus Mumford, of the band Mumford & Sons, and Chris Martin, of the band Coldplay

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Norman Adami, president and CEO of SABMiller Americas

Philosophy of Life: I always follow my gut feeling/instinct – it is very accurate

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Meeting my steel industry mentor, Jimmy Breakey, who instilled and nurtured in me a true passion for steel and all its many facets and opportunities

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not being able to study music at university when I left school

Hope for the Future: A peaceful, nonviolent and crime-free South Africa that can once again take its rightful place on the world stage and compete globally in all aspects

Favourite Reading: Game farm management and autobiographies

Favourite TV Programme: I do not have much time to watch television, but when I do, it is the horse-racing channel

Favourite Food/Drink: Chicken and rice/Cane and Coke

Favourite Music: Mumford & Sons, Coldplay

Favourite Sport: Cricket and endurance motorcycle racing

Favourite Website: Buffalo Kloof Wildlife Safaris

Hobbies: Game breeding, music, playing the guitar

Car: Toyota bakkie.

Pets: Mumford, my Rhodesian ridgeback

Miscellaneous Dislikes: People who lie or are in any way dishonest

Favourite Other South African Company: Pam Golding Properties

Favourite Foreign Company: Apple

Children: Hannah, 19; Taylor, 17

Clubs: Belmont Golf Club