Managing Director since the company started in 1979, Peter Gillespie is known for his calm, steady leadership style and shrewd business acumen. Able to identify an opportunity and willing to take the calculated risks required to seize it, Peter left his hometown of Durban and started Swifts in Johannesburg from scratch, with partner Anne.

Peter spotted the opportunity of becoming a 'one stop' industrial supplier to the gold mines and heavy industry around the Johannesburg area after successfully managing and growing the Swift Industrial Abrasive Division in Durban. Since then he has helped Swifts successfully grow and diversify, creating and exploiting niches in the highly competitive lubricant and cutting tool markets.

Peter has always been a keen traveller, a passion that was stimulated when he joined the Merchant Navy in 1961 and spent 6 years sailing around the world. An avid sports fan and optimistic, positive person by nature, Peter says his only regret is not taking up Golf earlier.