Full Name: Tillmann Olsen
Position: Regional president of Bosch Rexroth Africa and CEO of Bosch Rexroth South Africa (formerly Hytec Holdings)
Main Activity of the Company: Drive and control technology (hydraulics, pneumatics and factory automation)
Date and Place of Birth: 1971, Germany
Education: MBA
First Job: Bosch International Trainee Programme
Career History Prior to Current Position: I held positions in Germany (postmerger integration), China (purchasing), Germany again (mergers and acquisitions), France (CFO: France and at the factory in Lyon)
Size of First Pay Packet: That was still in German Deutsche marks!
First Job with Present Group: Trainee in the controlling department
Number of People under Your Leadership: About 900
Management Style: Consistently demanding and inspiring employees to enable exceptional performance
Personal Best Achievement: Raising three good children with my wife
Professional Best Achievement: Restructuring a business together with the unions in France
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: Many role models, including my father
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: A succession of Bosch Rexroth CFOs who have mentored me
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Congolese doctor Denis Mukwege, who is a Nobel Peace Prize winner
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Richard Branson
Philosophy of Life: To die young as late as possible
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Meeting my wife
Biggest Ever Disappointment: People betraying their values and abusing power for selfish reasons
Hope for the Future: Seeing my children thrive and leading happy, responsible lives
Favourite Reading: Thinking, Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman
Favourite Food/Drink: French food and a good wine
Favourite Music: A mix of modern songs – I exchange playlists with the children
Favourite Sport: Off-piste skiing, mountain biking and hiking
Hobbies: Travelling
Car: As safe as can be (Volvo)
Pets: Silver, a white Swiss shepherd
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Arrogance
Favourite Other South African Company: Nongovernmental organisation Pure Hope School and Lift Clinic for the Woodlane Village residence, in Pretoria
Favourite Foreign Company: The United Nations – I have always admired its work but cannot stand its bureaucracy
Married: Yes
Children: Three teenagers
Clubs: Virgin Active 