Feriel Zerouki Becomes President of World Diamond Council

De Beers executive Feriel Zerouki has taken on the role of president at the World Diamond Council (WDC), succeeding Edward Asscher following a three-year term as vice president.

Zerouki, the miner’s senior vice president of corporate affairs, assumed office on Monday during a meeting of the WDC’s board of directors in London, the council said. She is the first woman to head the WDC, which works to keep conflict diamonds out of the supply chain.

During the meeting, the board also elected Ronnie Vanderlinden, president of the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA), as vice president. According to WDC rules, he will automatically become president when Zerouki completes her two-year term.

Meanwhile, Anoop Mehta, president of the Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB) and managing director of Mohit Diamonds, will become treasurer, while Udi Sheintal was reappointed as secretary.

The WDC represents the diamond industry at the Kimberley Process (KP). Zerouki will lead the upcoming WDC delegation at the 2023 KP intersessional meeting, which will take place in Zimbabwe, beginning May 21.

Image: Feriel Zerouki. (World Diamond Council)