Full Name: Michael Grant van Niekerk
Position: CEO of ASP Fire
Main Activity of the Company: Fire prevention through engineering design
Date and Place of Birth: January 17,1967, Waterval Boven
Education: BCom, MBL, Confederation of Fire Protection Associations qualification in principles of fire engineering
First Job: Pilot, South African Air force
Career History Prior to Current Position: Air Force pilot; associate director, Alexander Forbes; regional MD, Saffer: DAWN Group; CE: lounge division, Bravo Manufacturing Group; group production director, Coricraft
Size of First Pay Packet: R250 a month
First Job with Present Group: CEO
Value of Assets under Your Control: R25-million
Number of People under Your Leadership: 25
Management Style: Inclusive and mentoring; soft heart but firm mind
Personal Best Achievement: Summiting Mount Kilimanjaro in 2003
Professional Best Achievement: Starting my own business
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: Brian Spanier-Marson
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Derek Todd
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Jeff Bezos
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Mark Zuckerberg
Philosophy of Life: Do everything to the maximum and never give up
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Starting my own business
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not starting my own business earlier in my career
Hope for the Future: That the youth of our country reach their potential in every way possible
Favourite Reading: Technical research and science fiction
Favourite TV Programme: English Premier League football
Favourite Food/Drink: Grilled Salmon
Favourite Music: Rock
Favourite Sport: Running
Favourite Website: http://news.sky.com
Hobbies: Reading, running, fixing things
Car: BMW X5
Pets: A dog and a cat (strictly, they are my wife’s pets)
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Mentally and physically lazy people
Favourite Other South African Company: Discovery
Favourite Foreign Company: Google
Married: To Tanya, since February 24, 2007
Children: Calvin, 11
Clubs: National Fire Protection Association, Society of Fire Protection Engineers, Engineering Council of South Africa, South African Institution of Civil Engineering