Edward Asscher has been named president of the World Diamond Council (WDC), the international organisation that is charged with leading the industry’s effort to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the jewellery supply chain and with representing it in the tripartite Kimberley Process coalition.

Formerly the WDC VP, he assumed the role during a virtual board meeting on June 5, taking over from Stephane Fischler, who had served first as WDC’s acting president, starting in 2017, and then for two years as president, beginning in 2018.  

During the virtual meeting, the WDC board also confirmed the election of De Beers Group international relations and ethical initiatives senior VP Feriel Zerouki as WDC VP, the first woman ever to hold the position.

According to the WDC bylaws, she will automatically become WDC president at the end of Asscher’s two-year term in 2022.

The board also confirmed the re-election of International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) president Ronnie Vanderlinden as WDC treasurer, and of Udi Sheintal as WDC secretary.

Asscher will be serving a second term as WDC president, having held the role from 2014 to 2016. He currently is also VP of the European Council of Diamond Manufacturers, and is a past president of both IDMA and the International Diamond Council, a diamond standards-setting organisation affiliated to IDMA and the World Federation of Diamond Bourses.

“I am honoured to be able to serve once again as WDC president, and to head a body whose entire purpose is to protect the integrity of the natural diamond, and also that of the industry that mines, manufactures and sells it, enabling all stakeholders to gain maximum benefit from revenues generated, especially in the developing world.

"In taking over from Stephane, I am filling giant shoes. As WDC president he spoke with a clear moral voice, emphasising the natural diamond’s potential to act as catalyst for social and economic development. This is a theme that I will continue over the coming two years,” said Asscher.