After a stint in the television industry, Sven obtained a B Com Law from Stellenbosch. In the end he didn’t become a lawyer, instead joining the team involved in establishing the berry industry in South Africa in the late 90s.
After more than two decades as CEO of the local business (managing 89,000% growth in 20 years) and an important contributor to the exponential growth of the South African berry industry, Sven sold his shares back to his partners in 2019 to focus on what he loves most: the hustle, bustle & adrenaline of high growth, high uncertainty environments.
He is currently involved as a founder, shareholder or director in several early-stage businesses covering a diverse & challenging variety of sectors: agriculture, health beverages, minibus taxi’s, restaurant software, and global derivatives trading.
Sven and his wife Jessica have been together for more than 20 years and have lived on the greater estate (both Pearl Valley & Val de Vie sides) with their family since 2014. He joined the Val de Vie Board of Trustees at the beginning of 2021, and is the Chair of the Finance sub-committee