As a business leader, I intensely pursue humility, wisdom, and faith to hear His voice leading me. I know it is wartime, not peacetime. I know the world has changed, and the future created by exponential technological advancements is much closer than we think. With this knowledge and my passion as a futurist, I live in this future. With my eyes wide open and with forceful dedication, I will take as much ground as is physically possible in every endeavour I set my hands to.I founded my first contact centre tech company at the young age of 24. Since then, I have accumulated 19 years of business leadership experience within this technology-driven contact centre industry.I serve as the CEO of T|Forge and its various subsidiaries. I also serve as a director in various other tech companies. With this experience, an MBA from the University of the Free State, and completion of the Certified Director Program with the Institute of Directors SA, I possess what it takes to create the future required.I have a passion for strategic business development, creating with my executive leaders a clearly defined and inspiring vision that will stretch my team and me to become those leaders; skilled and capable in every strategic area that the visionary future versions of our companies require from us. I take massive action and understand the critical importance of executing fast and with force.My overwhelming love for my family gives me an understanding of the urgency and gravity to serve in my duty as a husband and a father. I prioritise purposeful leadership and focused time to develop and lead them in the ways of God, preparing them for the brutal world they will soon be stepping into.
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Chief Executive OfficerTforge Oct 2016 - PresentBuilding 2, First Floor, Waterfall Point Office Park, Cnr Woodmead Drive &, Waterfall Drive,Serving over 320 Contact Centre Clients with state of the art Omnichannel Cloud Technology and various technologies that enable to Contact Centre to have the highest productivity per agent. -
Co-Chief Executive OfficerAdcon Tech Nov 2019 - PresentMidrand, Gauteng, South Africa -
Chief Executive OfficerThe Verified Company Nov 2021 - Present
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Strategic Advisor, ConsultantBoard Management & Accociates Jan 2019 - PresentCity Of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
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Senior Business ExecutiveLiquid Telecom South Africa Mar 2016 - Oct 2016MidrandOverseeing business development of Neotel System Integrators and Virtual Network Operators -
Executive OperationsLiquid Telecom South Africa Oct 2015 - Mar 2016MidrandRecruited into Special Projects in November 2015 by the Chief Of Special Projects with a mandate to use my leadership and management skills to improve team collaboration and increase team productivity within this unit, while spearheading business development unit within this Neotel division. Special Projects had the mandate to create innovative, over the top ideas, opportunities, and businesses that will complement the business and leverage the assets by creating additional, over the top revenue. Earmarked as the Managing Director for one of the incubated companies that were developed within Special Projects. Special Projects was dismantled with company restructure. -
Co OwnerSynergy Health And Fitness Oct 2014 - Sep 2015StellenboschStrategic Leadership and Business Development / Brand Development, Marketing and SalesBecame a shareholder in October 2014 to implement a turnaround strategy and change the positioning of this exclusive boutique gym and increase growth. Managed 14 employees.I completely repositioned the facility from an average commercial gym to a facility with the best group fitness programs in Stellenbosch. This increased group fitness attendance by over 200%, and resulted in higher member retention rates.I implemented a strict budget and cost cutting strategy.I designed and implemented a unique sales system. Trained up the sales staff and increased monthly sales by and average 30%. This business became profitable within the first 4 months after I took over leadership and implemented the various strategies.Ensuring the effective management of the team and implemented a specific system to ensure the team is cross-functional and self-organizing.
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Business ConsultantBusiness Consultant Jul 2014 - Sep 2015Western CapeBusiness Model DevelopmentI Developing two unique “Lifestyle / Wellness” project with budgets of R30m and R50m respectively. I have also consulted on the network infrastructure for these Estates evaluating different FTTH (Fibre to the home) solutions and proposals.
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Owner, FounderXite Fitness Gyms Apr 2012 - Sep 2015NationalWith a passion for health and fitness, I founded six fitness facilities nationally. Managed all fiscal responsibilities; prepared and reviewed budgets. Developed and implemented sales and HR programs. Controlled Payroll budget of R2.6 million per annum. Supervised a team of 24 people, consisting of 6 managers and 18 employees.
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Founder, OwnerXite Fitness 2011 - Sep 2015Capetown & JohannesburgStrategic Leadership, Business Development, Market Research and Needs Analysis, R & D (Design and Development of Fitness Equipment), International Trade and Contract negotiations, Manufacturing and LogisticsFounded a functional fitness equipment company. Established performance indicators, operating goals, realignment initiatives, productivity improvements, and cost reduction programs that consistently improved product output, product quality and customer satisfaction. Functional areas of management involved strategic planning, human resources, business development, marketing, sales, product management, and finance. Grew the firm from a start-up to the strongest brands in South Africa within 18 months, becoming the exclusive equipment supplier to Reebok Africa. Gained a 70% market share within the segment the company operated in.Designed and managed logistics of two distribution warehouses, one in the Western Cape and one in Gauteng.
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Co Owner, FounderSkydive Central Jan 2010 - Jan 2011The Bloemfontein Skydive Club, also known as a “drop-zone” was operated as a club when I took it over. As my first initiative, I proposed that the club be privatized. Under my leadership, the revenue increased by over 500% and accounted for 50% of the total “First Jump Certifications” in South Africa. This was a major contribution to the growth of the sport in South Africa. Within the first year of my involvement in the facility, -
Founder, MdX8 Telecoms Jan 2003 - Jan 2011Strategic Leadership, Business Development, Project ManagementFounded this Telecoms company in 2004 when I identified an opportunity during the early stages of “Cellular Least Cost Routing”. Started the company as an agent of Least Cost Routing service providers, quickly grew the company to multiple offices in the country with an array of technologies and services through various service providers with the key focus being voice and data. These service providers included ECN, Huge Telecoms, CentraTel and CentraCel, Telkom and MTN Business. Appointed as the first super dealership for CentraCel within the first year of operation. The first company to trial and test the fixed-line voice and data offering of MTN Business. Grew the business to over R35m annual revenue and 30 employees before being aquired.
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Surgical RepresentativeTyco Health Care 2002 - 2003Marketing and Sales, Product Launches, Conducting in-theater surgical assistance to General Surgeons, Acquired and received extensive Anatomical, Physiological and Surgical knowledge and training abroad • At that time I was the youngest surgical representative TYCO International ever employed.• Acquired extensive sales training at a young age and was exposed to conducting professional presentations to individual and groups of General Surgeons and Gynecologists.• Responsible for the launch of a new surgical instrument and managed to grow to over 80% market share just before I resigned, being one of the top sales representatives for that product in the Sub-Saharan Region.
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Personal Trainer & Group Fitness InstructorSuper Sport Health Club Jan 2000 - Jan 2002
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RepresentativeAventis Pharma 2001 - 2002Marketing and Sales, Product Launches, Presentations with Doctors and Medical Personnel• At that time I was the youngest medical rep that Aventis International ever employed at the age of 22, I exceeded sales target for my entire career at the firm. -
Personal Trainer & Group Fitness InstructorTraining Edge Jan 1995 - Jan 1999
Francois Van Der Merwe Education Details
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Corporate Governance -
Master Of Business Administration -
Acsm (American College Of Sports Medicine) Certification -
The National Academy Of Sports Medicine (Nasm) Personal Training Certification -
Crossfit Level 1 -
Crossfit Strongman -
Johnny G Spinning Master Trainer -
Reebok Personal Training Certification -
Matriculated -
Ba Human Movement Science
Frequently Asked Questions about Francois Van Der Merwe
What company does Francois Van Der Merwe work for?
Francois Van Der Merwe works for Tforge
What is Francois Van Der Merwe's role at the current company?
Francois Van Der Merwe's current role is Chief Executive Officer.
What schools did Francois Van Der Merwe attend?
Francois Van Der Merwe attended The Institute Of Directors, University Of The Free State/universiteit Van Die Vrystaat, Acsm (American College Of Sports Medicine) Certification, The National Academy Of Sports Medicine (Nasm) Personal Training Certification, Crossfit Level 1, Crossfit Strongman, Johnny G Spinning Master Trainer, Reebok Personal Training Certification, Grey College, University Of The Free State.
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