John Harris, executive director: business solutions and finance at Infinitus Reporting Solutions
Full Name: John Llewellyn Harris
Position and Company Name: Executive director: business solutions and finance at Infinitus Reporting Solutions
Main Activity of the Company: Infinitus Reporting Solutions provides software and services in the corporate performance management space. Its globally recognised software, Finnivo, is used to simplify and automate the data collection, consolidation, reporting and planning processes of organisations with multiple locations, group entities or sources of information
Date and Place of Birth: March 25, 1970, Durban
Schools and Tertiary Education: Matric, Beachwood Boys High School, 1987; BCom, University of Natal, 1990; higher certificate in retirement fund management, Insurance Institute of South Africa, 1995; mining taxation course, University of South Africa, 1997; higher diploma in tax law, University of the Witwatersrand, 1999
First Job: VAT auditor at the South African Revenue Service (Sars)
Size of First Pay Packet: R2 300 a month
Career Path to Date: VAT auditor at Sars, 1992 to 1993; group benefits consultant at Liberty Life, 1993 to 1994; group tax consultant at Anglovaal, 1995 to 1998; corporate tax manager and senior tax manager at Deloitte Tax, 1999 to 2005; cofounder and executive director of Infinitus Reporting and Finnivo Software, current
Value of Assets under Your Control: Our software, Finnivo, is used to consolidate the results and forecasts of organisations with combined (consolidated) annual revenues in excess of R1.7-trillion
Number of People under Your Leadership: 15
Management Style: I lead and serve by example, and employ the right people and ensure that the vision is clear and trust them to get the job done. I consult with the team at the coalface and am prepared to roll up my sleeves
Personal Best Achievement: Raising three children with my wife while building a new business, and completing the Midmar Mile at the age of 12
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My family – I get ‘schooled’ every day
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Jeremy Andrew (then an actuary at Liberty Life) encouraged me to step out into uncomfortable territory and stretch myself beyond what I thought was possible at the time. He led with exceptional work ethic, empathy and discipline, and taught me how to do the job right, first time, on time, every time
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Satoshi Nakamoto, the Bitcoin inventor
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Steve Jobs – his vision to bring simplicity to the world of computing and hand-held devices is a constant reminder to think big and keep it simple
Philosophy of Life: Keep it simple, work hard before you play hard, have no fear, have respect, be humble, be kind; in every challenge there is always opportunity
Biggest Ever Opportunity: My cumulative personal and work experiences leading up to starting new business ventures, and being at the right place at the right time and connecting with the right people
Biggest Ever Disappointment: I have used disappointments as impetus for change and to create a business that provides real solutions to core reporting issues in the corporate world
Hope For the Future: Together as a nation, we can make South Africa great – it is in our hands to choose and vote right
Favourite Reading: Daily Wisdom for Leaders, by John C Maxwell, business success stories and property guides
Favourite TV Programme: Mission Impossible
Favourite Food/Drink: Rump steak on the braai with roast potato plus an ice-cold beer
Favourite Music: Mostly 80s music, classical and worship music
Favourite Sport: Watersport and golf from time time
Hobbies: Family time, DIY, golf and boating
Car: Toyota Fortuner 4 × 4
Pets: Two rescue puppies
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Littering our beautiful country, poor service, disrespect and leaving all the lights on
Married: To Lesley – for 30 years now
Children: Andrew, 26; Kieran, 23; Ashleigh, 16