David Thomas van der Merwe

Senior executive and finance professional with extensive experience in commercial leadership, financial management, M&A, business turnaround, strategy execution, ERP implementation, franchise operations, agriculture, manufacturing and premium wine estates. Recognised for combining financial discipline with practical operational leadership, stakeholder management and first-principles problem solving to improve profitability, professionalise systems and build scalable businesses.

CEO / Management Shareholder - HHH Investments

(2024-03)

• Negotiated the acquisition of 12 vida e caffé franchises, added two further stores, and opened a 15th outlet.
• Grew annual turnover from R37m to R55m and turned the business around from a R4m loss to profitability within 24 months.
• Established operating systems, implemented best practice processes, and transitioned day-to-day management to a professional team.

Commercial and Financial Manager / Management Shareholder - Grassroots Group

(2012-08 - 2024-02)

• Owned P&L performance across four profitable business divisions, contributing approximately 30% of group profit over five years.
• Delivered return on assets of 22%–27% over two consecutive years.
• Led ERP and accounting-system implementation, enabling real-time manufacturing visibility and full traceability from field to fork.
• Supported the R760m carve-out of the Bear Division to Lotus Bakeries, facilitating financial due diligence, related agreements and conditions-precedent execution.
• Managed customer relationships, value-chain analysis, promotional support and new-product initiatives across local and international markets.

Managing Director - Kingsriver Estate and Waterkloof Wines

(2008-11 - 2012-07)

• Led estate and wine-business operations for international owners, aligning local execution with shareholder strategy.
• Positioned Kingsriver Estate as a premium wine destination and supported market development.
• Oversaw winemaking, viticulture, sales, marketing, restaurant operations and property management teams.

Financial Management - Rust en Vrede and Ernie Els Wines

(2008-03 - 2008-10)

• Mapped and managed the project to establish a joint venture for marketing the Rust en Vrede and Ernie Els brand portfolios.
• Restructured shareholding arrangements to remove potential conflicts of interest and provided financial management across both entities.

Financial Director - Simonsvlei International

(1995-01 - 2008-02)

• Played a key role in converting Simonsvlei from a co-operative to a public company in 1997, the first South African wine co-operative to do so.
• Managed the Woolworths key account from 2005–2007, representing R25m annual turnover and approximately 25% of company revenue.
• Supported sales, category management, product quality, pricing, promotional planning and new-product development for a major national retailer.
• Improved supply-chain planning, costing, warehouse management, stock control and FIFO processes across wine production and distribution.
• Held responsibility for finance, HR management, incentive schemes, compliance processes and business-plan development.

Articles - PricewaterhouseCoopers

(1992-01 - 1994-12)

• Completed articles with exposure to audit, compliance, financial controls and operational business analysis.
• Key clients included University of Stellenbosch, Distell, Medi-Clinic and Remgro.

Hons B Compt - University of South Africa

B Accounting - University of Stellenbosch