Full Name: Wojciech Tomasz Piorko

Position: MD for Africa at Vertiv

Main Activity of the Company: The design, manufacturing and maintenance of mission-critical infrastructure technologies for the co-location/cloud, telecommunications, and commercial and industrial markets

Date and Place of Birth: February 23, 1975, Warsaw, Poland

Schools and Tertiary Education: Faculty of Power and Aeronautical Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, 1994 to 1999

First Job: Technical support specialist for direct current power (telecoms) solutions at Business Power Systems Sp z oo. My main task was to support the sales team and to contribute new ideas in the engineering team

Career History Prior to Current Position: I held several technical, sales and management positions with Masterguard/Chloride and Emerson Network Power, working with customers in Poland and neighbouring countries

Size of First Pay Packet: It was very small, but I proudly accepted it as my first permanent employment contract. In fact, I bought my first proper suit with it on payday!

First Job with Present Group: My first position at Vertiv was as sales and technical manager responsible for Poland, the Baltic States, Ukraine and Belarus. This entailed a mix of business development and technical/sales support, as there were only two of us in the office at the very beginning

Number of People under Your Leadership: Many great individuals across different cultures and nationalities

Management Style: Balanced, open minded and audacious. I try to be as close as possible to regional teams and customers

Personal Best Achievement: Two great children and my amazing wife! I miss both youngsters, as they have left home to live their own lives. However, I am enjoying spending time with my wife and am proud to be able to call her my best friend

Professional Best Achievement: Establishing a strong and successful African management team for Vertiv – a group of 14 enthusiastic individuals from six countries, representing a powerful mix of cultures. This diverse team effectively tackles daily challenges . . . while having fun!

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: There were many turning points at different stages of my life, and many different people have been involved, so it’s difficult to name one. That said, my family has always had incredible influence on my life

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Vertiv’s president for Europe, Middle East and Africa, who trusted me enough to offer me a great challenge and the opportunity to relocate to the Middle East, thus starting the journey that led me to where I am now

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Dr House and Michael Jordan – I would love to play with both of them

Philosophy of Life: Always on a journey to find the right balance between the private and professional spheres of life

Favourite Reading: Biographies and real-life stories. I recently read Open, Andre Agassi’s autobiography, and Karoo Roads III: The adventures continue, by Chris Marais and Julienne du Toit

Favourite TV Programme: Sports, especially live coverage. With the latest mix of Grand Slam tennis, rugby, Formula 1, MotoGP and the Olympic Games, it’s hard to miss any action

Favourite Food/Drink: As funny as it sounds, almost everywhere I go, I order chicken livers as a starter! And, being in South Africa, one cannot overlook the amazing selection of wines

Favourite Sport: Every year, I try to find time for windsurfing and skiing – by far my two favourites now. I used to sail and row as well, and played handball and basketball at school and at university