Geologist Desmond Sacco owes his fortune to Assore Group, the mining company founded by his father Guido Sacco in 1928. Desmond has spent more than 45 years working for the company. After founding Gloucester Manganese Mines Guido went on to acquire other mining interests and later formed Assore Group, which listed its shares on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange more than 60 years ago. Desmond, a geologist, joined Assore Group in 1968, was appointed to the board in 1974 and, upon Guido's retirement in 1992, was appointed chairman and managing director. In his younger years, Sacco played cricket and hockey at the University of South Africa.