We find out more about one of our business leaders to give you a close-up view of the type of person who forms part of the Pragma team.

Full Name:
Dean Griffin.

Position:
Divisional Manager – Public Sector, Pragma Africa.

Main Activity of the Company:
Infrastructure Asset Management. We provide systems, staff and experience to allow organisations to fully optimise their assets resulting in high levels of efficiency and cost optimisation.

Date and Place of Birth:
22nd July 1969; London, England.

Education:
Masters Degree – University of Manchester (UK). School: Bexley & Erith Technical High School for Boys, Bexley, Kent.

First Job:
Apprentice Electrician in 1985, having just turned 16 years old.

Career History Prior to Current Position:
Senior Consultant – Pragma Africa
Managing Consultant – Axon Solutions UK (SAP)
Senior Consultant – Cap Gemini Ernst & Young UK (SAP)
Maintenance Planning Manager – Tate & Lyle Sugars UK
Maintenance Supervisor

Size of First Pay Packet:
£52

First Job with Present Group:
I was employed as a Senior Asset Management Consultant within the consulting division.

Value of Assets under Your Control:
Our service! As we provide a service to organisations we don’t really control the assets, however the organisations my division assists have assets valued in excess of R80 billion.

Number of People under Your Leadership:
46.

Management Style:
I am evolving into an output-focused leader.

Personal Best Achievement:
My two boys.

Professional Best Achievement:
Creating an environment where my team members have an equal voice irrespective of position.

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life:
I have been very lucky to have had the opportunity to spend time with a number of people who have helped to guide me in life, whether they realise it or not.

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career:
Probably my wife Memre – she has always supported me and she gave me the confidence to move into consulting.

Person You Would Most Like to Meet:
Nelson Mandela.

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most:
Louis Fourie.

Philosophy of Life:
I am very easy-going as I am always looking at solving problems instead of worrying about them.

Biggest Ever Opportunity:
Moving to South Africa. I had no preconceptions and didn’t really know what to expect. I was, however, very confident that I had good experience and an adaptable nature.

Biggest Ever Disappointment:
Not making it as a professional footballer.

Hope for the Future:
Things are not always Black and White and we will only start to move on in this country when it’s not the first thought that comes into people’s heads.

Favourite Reading:
Any improvement book. I’m a serial learner so always need a book to feed my desire for knowledge.

Favourite TV Programme:
Ultimate Survival – Bear Grylls.

Favourite Food/Drink:
Indian food, and wine.

Favourite Music:
Various ranging from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers to the Black Eyed Peas through to Katie Melua. Anything that has a tune I can follow!

Favourite Sport:
I enjoy most sports and have participated in many, but at the moment my favourite is mountain biking, especially as I am training for the Absa Cape Epic 2010.

Favourite Website:
Google.

Hobbies:
Mountain biking, golf and rugby.

Car:
Mercedes C220 CDi Estate.

Pets:
Cocker spaniel called Lola.

Miscellaneous Dislikes:
I dislike negativity and people taking themselves too seriously.

Favourite Other South African Company:
Citadel.

Favourite Foreign Company:
Apple.

Married:
To Memre. We married on the 7th of July 2000.

Children:
Two busy boys, Alexander (6) and Finlay (4).

Clubs:
Pedal Power SA.