London, UK – 13 June 2023: The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), the leading standards-setting organisation for the global jewellery and watch industry, announced that its members on 9 June elected three members to its Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, and elected nine members to the Board, at its Annual General Meeting (AGM).
“RJC’s strength comes from the engagement of our 1,700 committed members, a deeply experienced board and executive leadership team, and a shared belief in building sustainable, responsible business practices across our industry,” said RJC Chairman David Bouffard. “These newly elected leaders, working with a highly talented set of existing board members, will accelerate our efforts through diverse perspectives and deep knowledge. Congratulations to them all.”
During the meeting, Bouffard shared the results of the elections. Elected to serve as RJC Executive Committee Officers were:
- Edward Asscher from Royal Asscher was elected as Vice Chair. He said, “I was invited to the board in 2022. Now that I have been elected to the board, I feel strongly supported to further the goals of the RJC: sustainability, diversity and continuously improving the standards. I draw on my long experience to advance our goals, especially for the small and medium enterprises.”
- Udi Sheintal from the World Diamond Council was elected as Honorary Secretary. He shared, “I am honored and grateful for the show of trust from RJC members and look forward to joining the RJC Officers in contributing to the organization’s important work.”
- Feriel Zerouki from De Beers was re-elected as Honorary Treasurer. She said, “With stakeholder focus on sustainability growing ever sharper, it is vital that the jewellery industry adopts the highest standards of practice. I’m therefore delighted to be re-elected treasurer of the RJC as it continues to expand its membership and delivers wider positive impact with its leading sustainability agenda.”
Election results for RJC Member Forum representatives, where Directors represent their respective forums in the jewellery and watch supply chain, include:
- Zara Boltd from Lucara Diamonds and Purvi Shah from De Beers were elected to represent the Diamond, Gold and/or Platinum Group Metals Producer Forum.
- Michael Steinmetz from Leo Schachter Diamonds was elected to represent the Diamond Trader and/or Cutter and Polisher Forum.
- Philip Reisert from C. Hafner was re-elected to represent the Gold & Platinum Group Metals Trader, Refiner, or Hedger Forum.
- Colleen Rooney from Signet Jewelers and Reout Kallati from Kallati International were elected to represent the Retailer Forum.
- Kareena Shahani from IGI India and Rajesh Neelakanta from Sequel Secure Logistics were elected to represent the Service Industries Forum.
- Gaetano Cavalieri from CIBJO and Bernadette Pinet Couq from BJOP were elected to represent the Trade Association Forum.
The Board and Officers will work closely with RJC Executive Director Melanie Grant and her management team, as the organisation continues to lead and advance responsible business practices across the global jewellery and watch supply chain.
