Cardio Africa was founded by George van der Merwe in 2015 on the back of a 20-year career as a practising clinical physiologist and corporate employee within the medical devices industry.

The company was founded on the basis of an increasing need for independent business and clinical consulting services, as well as product distribution and marketing within the medical devices industry in South-Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.

George van der Merwe is the founder and current sole owner of Cardio Africa (Pty) Ltd.

He is a seasoned, well experienced and respected professional in the medical devices industry, with a clinical and commercial career spanning 20 years.

He worked extensively in the UK as a clinical cardiac physiologist for eight years before relocating to South Africa to join the medical device industry. During his time in the UK, he obtained a Certificate in Cardiology from the City of Westminster College in London. He also earned the coveted IBHRE (International Board of Heart Rhythm Examiners) accreditations in both cardiac rhythm device therapy and cardiac electrophysiology. However, nothing has been more valuable than the practical experience he gained as a full-time EP technologist during the last five years at London Bridge Hospital; before leaving his position as Deputy Manager of Cardiology, to relocate to South Africa.

George’s industry and commercial expertise comes from the various positions he’s held within cardiac device companies. At first, he was a field clinical engineer (FTE), supporting advanced mapping cases. He was then business unit manager and new business development manager for both the cardiac rhythm management and electrophysiology divisions while still being involved with practical electrophysiology. His commercial career took him to companies like St. Jude Medical/Abbott (distributor was Amayeza Abantu Biomedical, now Vertice Healthcare) and Biotronik.

During his almost 13 year career at these companies, he has managed to build close relationships and an extensive network. This network includes GP’s, physicians, cardiologists, electrophysiologists, cardiac surgeons and pharmaceutical companies. It also includes many other stakeholders like hospital groups, medical insurers and government entities in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.

It is this combination of expert clinical knowledge and an extensive commercial relationship base and network that gives Cardio Africa a strategic advantage to execute its mission statement and core values on a daily basis.