Burger Van der Merwe

I started my career as a Chemical Engineer before moving into retail, where I spent over 30 years shaping operations, supply chains and systems while focusing on leadership and building a winning culture. Most recently, I served as Retail Operations Director at Woolworths, responsible for SA stores, online, property, and the African footprint outside of SA. I’m a purpose-led leader who believes in empowering people and building teams that thrive under pressure. I bring calm, principled guidance to complex transitions, helping leaders and organisations navigate change without losing focus on what truly matters - energised people, winning culture, and market leading performance. Today, I focus on three core areas:Governance / Non-Executive Directorship: I served on 10 boards in the Woolworths Africa portfolio and currently serve as the Chairman of the Wooltru Healthcare Fund. Strategic Advisory: Guiding teams to create winning cultures, align strategy with purpose, and deliver measurable organisational outcomes.I also help businesses uncover differentiating capabilities, translate strategy into execution, and engage frontline teams to drive customer and operational excellence. I advise companies in retail, call centers, and logistics and supply chain, turning strategy into tangible results. Coaching & Mentoring: Developing leaders who grow influence, sustain high-performing teams, and lead with integrity through complexity and change. I partner with executives and emerging leaders to strengthen leadership capacity and organisational culture.