20 questions: Aditya Mittal

The boyish 34-year-old chief financial officer of ArcelorMittal, the world’s biggest steelmaker, is the son of Lakshmi Mittal, the Indian entrepreneur who controls the company. Aditya – who lives in London but holds an Indian passport – is credited with many of the initiatives that turned the steelmaker into one of the most successful global companies over the past decade. The former investment banker is regarded as the most likely candidate to take charge eventually of ArcelorMittal.

Describe your job within 10 words.
Sometimes exhilarating, sometimes frustrating, but always challenging and rewarding.

How would your PA describe you?
Hard-working, highly motivated, determined – and no doubt demanding.

Did you predict you would end up where you are?
I always knew it was going to be steel but never predicted steel would become so dynamic, political and even thrilling.

If you had not been in business what would you have done?
I would have loved to be a sportsman, but was not cut out for it.

What is your guilty pleasure?
Chocolate ice-cream.

What are you reading?
Too Big to Fail by Andrew Ross Sorkin.

What is your most overused expression?
Apparently, “Anything else?” and “Good” when I’m ending a conversation.

When do you turn off your BlackBerry?
When my wife insists.

What is the worst job you have ever done?
Head of Mittal’s mergers and acquisitions division in 1999. No one else wanted to do the job as the steel industry was going through its worst downturn and there was no cash or equity to do deals. But it turned out to be a great opportunity – we doubled the size of the company in that time.

What was the tensest moment in your career?The day Severstal announced its merger with Arcelor, blocking a takeover by Mittal. It was a huge blow – almost as if someone ripped my heart out. Thankfully, Arcelor’s board realised Mittal was a much better fit.

When were you happiest at work?
The day we finalised the merger that created ArcelorMittal. It was a dream come true – a rare and almost indescribable corporate moment.

Which business person do you most admire?
My father.

When did you last lose your temper at work?
I don’t lose my temper. That’s not to say I never get annoyed or concerned – but I’m more likely to become much quieter when that happens. In 2009 we lost money but I still did not lose my temper.

How important is money?
It is always important to a chief financial officer. Joking aside, it would be disingenuous to say money is not important, and my family has been very fortunate in this regard. But my parents have always encouraged us to work hard and take nothing for granted. We don’t have to spend money to have a good time.

What is the most treasured possession in your office?
Deal mementos.

Tie or open-necked shirt?
My preference is open-necked but I can’t pull it off often enough.

What bores you?
People who don’t come straight to the point.

What is your golden rule?
To exercise four to five times per week.

Has your job made your personal life suffer?
My important relationships haven’t really suffered, but I have lost all “me” time.

How do you want to be remembered?
As a great father.
- Financial Times, 14 Jan 2010