Grant Ballard-Tremeer

In a nutshell, tell us about yourself.

When I was young I spent all my time tinkering with sustainable energy technologies and can remember building a water purification still and a solar cooker when I was in my teens. I was also strongly influenced by social justice and in senior school was already defying government rules (and school instructions) with banned freedom stickers on my bag. In university I was accustomed to tear gas and marching down the streets of Johannesburg. You can find a picture of me in Nelson Mandela’s book (a prize to anyone that can spot me – hint: my hair was a lot longer than it is now).

These early influences fuelled my passion to try to make the world a better place. I founded E Co. in 2000 and am proud to say it has now completed over 500 assignments.

What are you most proud of?

Having established a company that is helping make a real difference to people’s lives.

Who or what do you most admire?

Three names come to mind: Sam Harris (the neuroscientist and author, NOT the singer) – I am deeply impressed by his work in the Waking Up app, and his Making Sense podcast; I admire Amanda Knox for her outlook on life and her amazing resilience; and Brian Johnson, philosopher and the creator of Heroic and the book Areté is an inspiration to me.

How would you like to be remembered?

As someone who really tried to understand the perspectives of others and listen.

What’s the best thing about your job?

The chance to work with creative and passionate people from all round the world.

Who’s the most inspiring person you’ve ever met?

I was privileged to meet Nelson Mandela briefly soon after he was released from prison. I was really blown away by his “presence”, and deeply impressed how he was so accepting of the people that kept him in prison all those years.