De Beers executive Feriel Zerouki will succeed Edward Asscher as president of the World Diamond Council (WDC) in 2022, the organization said Monday.
Zerouki, De Beers’ senior vice president of international relations and ethical initiatives, will become the first woman to head the WDC, which works to keep conflict diamonds out of the supply chain. Its board confirmed her election as vice president during a virtual meeting on Friday; according to WDC rules, she will automatically become president when Asscher’s current term ends two years from now.
Asscher, president of the Amsterdam-based Royal Asscher Diamond Company, took over at the WDC on Friday, stepping up from his previous position as vice president. He replaces Stephane Fischler, and will be serving his second term at the helm, after holding the role from 2014 to 2016.
The WDC board also confirmed the reelection of Ronnie Vanderlinden, president of the International Diamond Manufacturers Association, as treasurer, and the appointment of Udi Sheintal as secretary.
Source: DCLA