Who we are

Merwe is a Chartered Accounted by profession. He completed his articles at Ernst & Young. While at SARS he did a master’s degree in Tax at the University of Pretoria. He then started Ashton Chartered Accountants, which is a medium sized audit firm operating in Pretoria. During his audit career he was involved in a few listings and mergers and acquisitions. He acted as a managing partner until 2004.
After he left the auditing firm in 2004, he, together with a partner developed a Copper mine in Congo which was structured with RMB. Group Five did the construction. The mine was sold to Metorex, a listed company on the JSE at the time. He has been involved in various capacities with companies listed on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange, to include The King Pie Franchise, of which he was a founder member and was instrumental in establishing the brand in the United Kingdom; Tinga Private Game Lodge, Zongoene Lodge; the South African micro-finance industry through Credit U as an initial shareholder and director of this listed company; structuring finance for different projects in Africa through the Development Bank of Southern Africa, and commercial banks, including the first phase of toll roads built by Group Five.
He is a director of several companies including First Global Wealth, Mattfin (rendering financial services and grants housing bonds), Delavia Estate, Centurion Close, Jodibex Civils, and First Global AM.
He has been a shareholder and director of the First Global brand for the past five years, a prominent asset manager for selected high net worth individuals and Engelberg Ltd, a company that manages funds in SA and Guernsey for the First Global Group.
His interest includes mountain biking, wine making, scuba diving, hunting, reading, and boating.

Jacques studied at the University of Stellenbosch. Completed his MBA in 1987. After 8 years in the corporate world, he founded Semvest(Pty)Ltd, a corporate financial consultant in 1995. In 1999, this company changed its name to First Global Wealth Management and is still owner run and managed today.
In 2003, he co-founded First Global Asset Management. During this time, Jacques served as COO, CFO and was a member of the investment committee. First Global Funds performed very well and at the end of 2016 and was ranked third overall best risk adjusted fund manager by Plexcrown ratings in South Africa. Jacques has been managing assets in the financial services industry since 1995.
In 2017 First Global Consulting was established, known as First Global today.
Jacques enjoys the outdoors, traveling and fly privately for a hobby.

Michelle joined the company in January 2017 as portfolio administrator, she has 14 years’ experience in the financial service industry.

She really enjoys client interaction and strives to provide our clients with an ongoing, unmatched service experience.

Dorneil joined the company in May 2003 as a receptionist and was promoted to a portfolio administrator in May 2008. Previously she was employed as a receptionist and general admin clerk at Kusasa Engineering 195 (Pty) Ltd.

Over the years Dorneil has proven herself to a dedicated and meticulous employee always striving to assist clients in a friendly and efficient manner.

Amanda joined the company in March 2001 as a portfolio administrator, before which she spent 8 years as an assistant with a civil engineering company.

Amanda enjoys the client interaction and provides valuable service to the clients and the wealth managers.

Calla started his career in the Investment Industry in 2016 as an analyst, gaining practical experience while completing the CFA Program. Later his role evolved to include portfolio construction, client portfolio analysis and investment advice.

He completed his Bachelor of Commerce Degree (Investment Management) at the University of Stellenbosch and is a CFA Charterholder.

His interests include economic systems, blockchain, psychology, music, and golf.

Marcel is a Key Individual and Representative for each FSP in the First Global Group. He primarily focuses on the operations and compliance of the respective service providers working together with Jacques to ensure the longevity and succession of the First Global brand. He is part of the portfolio management team of the Engelberg funds with specific focus on the Engelberg Global fund.

Marcel studied a Bachelor of Commerce in Mathematical Sciences at the Stellenbosch University, followed by an Honours degree in Financial Risk Management at the Stellenbosch University.

Marcel did an internship at Investec Bank in London. He has been an avid cryptocurrency investor since 2015 and is always excited about new entrepreneurial or investment opportunities.  His interests include camping and exploring the outdoors, baking, growing his own fresh produce and cultivating a lifestyle that is sustainable and environmentally friendly.