OUR DIRECTORS
CACAO LTD
Unveiling Our Visionary Directors:
Our directors bring unmatched expertise and unwavering passion to propel the cocoa industry forward. With their strategic brilliance, innovation, and deep understanding of the market, they’re reshaping the landscape for chocolate lovers worldwide. Witness their remarkable capabilities and join us on a journey of sweet success.
Meet Our Directors
Chris Jahnke
Chair and Founding Director
Chris is the co-founder of Australian Chocolate Pty Ltd in 2013. Australian Chocolate Pty Ltd, trades as Charley’s Chocolate and is Australia’s most awarded chocolate.
Charley’s signature tree-to-bar single Origin Mt Edna dark chocolate achieved elite global status when the international Cocoa Of Excellence program (known as the ‘chocolate Olympics’) at the Salon du Chocolat in Paris, judged Charley’s Mount Edna cocoa as one of the world’s 18 finest in 2017 and 2019.
Chris has a background in real estate and transport marketing as well as extensive experience in the food service industry. He is a skilled business administrator and experienced project manager. Chris has acquired many new skills and become an expert in the complex area of chocolate making.
Anne Pleash
Secretary and Founding Director
Anne is a non-executive director with Australian Chocolate Pty Ltd, trading as Charley’s Chocolate and has a passion for agriculture and the tropics.
Anne is a highly networked and accomplished leader, strategist, communicator and advisor to politicians, industry, local governments and boards. Deep expertise in stakeholder engagement and negotiation strategies in high-pressure and politically charged issues and environments.
Authentic, visible and purposeful leader who builds desired organisational culture united around values and clearly articulated vision. Anne is a focused achiever who became only the 207th Australian to swim the English Channel.
James ‘Jim’ McKerlie
Founding Director
Jim is an experienced director, founder and entrepreneur. Starting with a background in professional services, Jim has founded many successful businesses and is a sought after strategist and performance improvement specialist.
Jim has served as a board director for 10 public companies including ASX 100 corporations, and 8 as chair of which 4 were IPOs. He has chaired several Remuneration Committees and has been a frequent Audit and Risk committee member. Jim is currently the Executive Chair of Kendo. He leads the team in the development of SMART HR cloud software that improve the performance of people and the organisations.
Jim has a passion for Australia-Pacific agriculture, having lived and operated businesses in the Pacific and leading the formation of the Australian Tea Tree industry body.