His worst fear? a cat!

BOB COLLYMORE CEO, SAFARICOM

AGE: 54

POSITIONS HELD:

Chief Officer for Corporate Affairs in Vodacom Group.

Vodacom’s Governance Director for Africa where he was responsible for developing and driving Vodafone’s strategy for its investments in Africa

Vodafone’s Director, Consumer Marketing (Asia).

Young Robert Collymore (a rebellious teenager) and his parents left his birth home in Guyana, in South America, for the UK at the age of 16.

In the UK, he lost the “Robert” name and adopted “Bob” who now describes himself, as “a laid back guy who doesn’t take himself too seriously.”

And it’s Bob who now sits as CEO of one of the most profitable companies in the region; Safaricom Ltd.

It’s Bob I meet in his large office, where he youthfully prances about as he talks. It’s Bob who unrelentingly makes hilarious off-the-record, tongue-in-cheek quips, it’s Bob who pokes fun at some of my questions and who, when I ask him who he really is, says, “I’m Guyanese by birth, English by nature and African by…” then struggles to define his African disposition before eventually saying, “You are the writer, let’s see you complete that for me...”

But most surprisingly, the self-assured and suave Bob I meet admits, unashamedly, that his greatest fear are cats.

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What was the most dominant thought that went through your mind the first day you took over this office?
I was bemused. Bemused by the attention the media was according this take-over. Understandably, the expectation of Kenyans was very high.

Rumour has it that you play some fancy musical instrument, which one is it?
I wouldn’t really say, I play an instrument because I’m not any good at it, so I play in the privacy of my house where no one can listen.

I play the saxophone and drums. I love music; every room in my house has some music or the other. I listen to classical and jazz.

You have a son and an adopted daughter, what informed your decision to adopt?

Yes. My son is 18 and schools in the UK. We adopted my little pumpkin, Serah (4 years old) in South Africa because we felt that lots of orphaned kids in SA needed a home.

Going by that pink shirt, you come across as a guy who loves clothes. Are you a trendy guy?

I’m 54; I can’t use the word trendy to define my style. In fact, you can’t be trendy at my age, it’s undignified.

But, I’m very particular about my taste. I only buy my shoes from three shoe makers; Charles Church, Bromui and the ones I’m wearing now (he raises his feet in the air for me to see) Barker.

My suits are from Gieves and Hawkes, my shirts and cufflinks are all from Thomas Pink.

You are a trendy guy, Bob, you just don’t know it. What’s the fascination with flying? Do you own a chopper?