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An executive-committee reshuffle at De Beers will see Kevin Smith and Eirik Waerness promoted to new roles.
Smith, executive vice president of corporate affairs and strategy, will be interim chief operating officer, succeeding Burger Greeff on his retirement later this year, the company said Wednesday. Smith has been with De Beers for almost three decades and has held various operational, technical and commercial leadership positions across the miner and parent company Anglo American. Smith led the development of the upstream Origins strategy and the group’s organizational-redesign program.
Meanwhile, Waerness, who joined De Beers as senior vice president and chief economist in September, will replace Smith as acting executive vice president of corporate affairs and strategy. Previously, he was chief economist at energy company Equinor in Norway, also serving as head of strategy. In his new role, Waerness will broaden his responsibilities to include global communications, government affairs, strategy and business development, and global market and price analysis.
Greeff, a 30-year company veteran, was initially senior research officer at De Beers Consolidated Mines, the company’s South African mining division. He has held various leadership positions at the miner, leading technical-innovation, operational-excellence, and sustainability initiatives.
“As chief operating officer, [Greeff] has brought integrity, strategic foresight, and unwavering commitment to our purpose,” said De Beers CEO Al Cook. “His contributions have helped shape the future of our operations and inspired many across the business. [His] legacy is one of excellence, humility, and service, and I extend my heartfelt thanks to [him] for his outstanding leadership.”
The two will begin in their new roles on December 1. The reshuffle also follows the recent departure of long-standing De Beers executive Feriel Zerouki, the company’s chief trade and industry officer.
Image: Eirik Waerness (left) and Kevin Smith. (De Beers)
