The Board is delighted to announce the appointment of Harry Melck as the head of the Cape Wine Academy (CWA) effective 1 September 2018.

Harry Melck CWM
Harry Melck has been appointed as the head of the Cape Wine Academy (CWA).

Harry will operate from Cape Town and will also be taking over the running of the CWA following the resignation of former Principal, Kristina Beuthner.

Harry is the latest Cape Wine Master graduate and joins CWA with a wealth of experience in the education sector. His last role was as the Chief Operating Officer of Milpark Education, a private higher and FET provider. This has given him deep understanding and insight into the trends facing the new age of learning.

“Having recently advanced through the prescribed levels of the Cape Wine Academy to the highest level of Cape Wine Master, as well as having been a regular lecturer of the various courses offered, I have a very good understanding of how we can improve the CWA to make it a world-class training provider,” says Harry. “I am extremely excited about revitalising the CWA in a way that respects its legacy, whilst also providing training content that is relevant and has a greater focus on the nuances of the South African wine industry.”

Harry is a chartered accountant with 18 years of experience specialising in strategy, leadership and business transformation and as such, he is very well suited to revitalise the Cape Wine Academy. His Cape Wine Master dissertation “Strategy, Vision and Business Transformation in the SA Wine Industry” has given him an in-depth understanding of the challenges and opportunities that face the wine and spirits sector. This knowledge has been gained by having one-on-one discussions with industry experts and he has developed an extensive network that he plans to tap into to enhance the learning experience for Cape Wine Academy students.

Harry is also a part owner of a successful chain of restaurants called Roxie in London. His involvement in this start-up has given him great insight into the hospitality industry and the business side of wine and spirits lending an additional facet of understanding to this new role.

“The Board is delighted to welcome Harry,” says Chairman of the Board, Frank Julyan. We have every confidence that his diverse experience and expertise both in wine and business will bring fresh perspective for a strategy that will lay great foundations for the future of the Cape Wine Academy.”