Meet the Board of Directors
The executive team is a combination of industry professionals with experience across various disciplines in professional services, finance and investment, property development and construction.
Duncan de Berry
Duncan has more than 40 years experience in property development, building and construction across Australia, New Zealand and Asia and is the managing director of Merlot Investments Australia and the Merlot Group of Companies.
His achievements include the project management and construction of major private and public infrastructure projects in Southeast Queensland, including the award winning Surfers Paradise Marriott Hotel and Resort, the John Flynn Hospital and more recently completing his own large residential development “Mutiara Puchong” in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.
Duncan brings significant property related contacts and strategic alliances to Merlot and oversees product research, development due diligence and all property acquisitions and developments. Duncan also chief project manages each Merlot home construction on behalf of all clients working with the builder to deliver the highest standard home in the most efficient time schedule.
A massive All Blacks supporter Duncan believes that it is never too late to learn from good coaches.
Dwade Sheehan MBA (Laws)
Dwade has a background in corporate advisory to professional service firms and is a founder and director of Media IQ (publisher of Tax IQ, a leading tax newsletter and advisory service) as well as Merlot Investments Australia and the Merlot Group of Companies.
His experience includes: client strategy, legal compliancy and marketing - he was a partner of AES Consulting, a corporate advisory firm that merged with Mainsheet Corporate, the former consulting arm to Freehills, one of Australia’s largest and most respected law firms.
Dwade is responsible for product development, compliancy, sales and marketing for Merlot and works with our consultants and clients to understand the benefits of tax effective investments for portfolio development and retirement security. He is also the author of Property IQ.
A former Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist Swimmer Dwade lives by the mantra, Success is the Journey, not just the Destination.
Cy Pearson MFIN
Cy has a background in corporate advisory and project facilitation for construction and development. Cy is a founder and director of Media IQ (publisher of Tax IQ, a leading tax newsletter and advisory service) as well as Merlot Investments Australia and the Merlot Group of Companies.
His experience includes: corporate advisory and financial controlling - he was a partner of AES Consulting, a corporate advisory firm that merged with Mainsheet Corporate, the former consulting arm to Freehills, one of Australia’s largest and most respected law firms.
Cy is responsible for financial controlling and client investments and works with clients and financiers to develop specialised investment models for long term wealth creation and portfolio management. He also manages our team of Merlot client managers who facilitate, educate and mentor our clients long after the completion of their home.
A former Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist Rower Cy believes that any day the sun comes up is a good day to work, hard.
Jeanette de Berry LREA
Jeanette has extensive experience in business administration and investments and is a director of Merlot Investments Australia and the Merlot Group of Companies. She is the Principal Agent of Merlot Residential Australia.
Jeanette’s experience includes: business and legal administration, and financial planning - she spent 11 years with an outback Queensland cattle station, 15 years in legal administration at Sanyo Australia, Sydney, before working in financial planning with Whittaker MacNaught, and lecturing Business Administration in Malaysia.
Jeanette is responsible for property and rental tenancy contracts and oversees the property management and maintenance division for Merlot, working with builders, asset managers, key service providers and tenants to ensure all Merlot homes retain their value long term.
Responsible for the effective management of more than 1,000 tenants Jeanette believes that if a job is worth doing, it is worth doing well.
