RBM's wizard of Oz
Cameron McRae - appointed Managing Director of Richards Bay Minerals in February
Ronelle Ramsamy
He may have had big shoes to fill at the beginning of the year, but newly appointed Managing Director Cameron McRae has smoothly taken over the reins at Richards Bay Minerals.
The 49 year-old Australian assumed his biggest and most challenging role to date after former MD George Deyzel retired at the end of February. Displaying a calm disposition, McRae humbly admits at the onset of his interview with the Zululand Observer that he 'cannot be George'!
However, offering a 'fresh set of eyes' the visionary leader immediately displays a strong sense of discipline, focus and charisma.
'I'm not bringing in a technical skill, but I will bring in a good understanding of working in complex organisations worldwide. I'm persistent and strategic and will bring an international outlook across countries and cultures to the table.
'Being objective, I will place a strong emphasis on getting leaders to lead effectively and teams to work cohesively and productively,' said McRae.
Hurdles
But his transition has not been exempt from hurdles.
'Within two weeks of taking the post, I was faced with the Eskom challenge and it certainly took up a lot of my thinking time.
'My goal is to get the company through the crisis without impacting on production, while still meeting long-term sales contracts.
'RBM is a very positive and strategic contributor to SA and making sure we operate at full sales capacity is vital. However, management has already worked collaboratively with Eskom and RBM has voluntarily shed load.'
Other issues high on McRae's priority list include furthering the company's transformation requirements, stringently maintaining a good safety record and enhancing employee performance levels.
'I like to see people working well and productively together while showing respect to one another. If you treat people well, it will work better in the workforce.
'It's no use having a good strategy when you have a badly performing organisation. I try to support groups I work with and share success with teams. I try to understand and empathise different viewpoints, which is essential at senior management level.'
Career
Born in Melbourne, McRae was educated in Australia and Zambia before attaining his Bachelor of Commerce and MBA in Australia. He started his working life as a Commercial Graduate at a BHP steelworks in Australia in 1980 before joining Rio Tinto, where he has loyally dedicated 22 years of service. Describing his career as a 'chopping and changing one', McRae has travelled extensively, working and living among a number of different cultural environments. From Australia to Papua New Guinea, Taiwan and Zimbabwe, McRae holds a wealth of knowledge and experience at senior management level. In 2006, he was appointed as the Managing Director of Murowa Diamonds in Zimbabwe, before eventually taking the helm at RBM.
Family man
And when McRae is not preoccupied with managerial matters, the husband to Sue and father of five enjoys playing golf, fishing, exercising and sitting down to a good autobiography. His eldest daughter Amber and twin sons, Sam and Jake, live in Australia, while younger siblings George and Katie live with them in Richards Bay. Missing his steak on the Aussie barbeque, McRae says he is most appreciative of the braais in South Africa and looks forward to exploring the rest of the country.
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