Alrosa Vice President Andrey Polyakov has been tapped as the next vice president of the World Diamond Council, the organization announced following its annual general meeting last week in Russia.
His selection fills the position left vacant when Andrew Bone retired from the De Beers and the WDC board. Bone is now executive director of the Responsible Jewellery Council.
Polyakov will succeed current WDC President Edward Asscher, who was elected in May 2014, when his term expires in May 2016.
The World Diamond Council represents the diamond industry in the development and implementation of regulatory and voluntary systems developed by bodies such as the United Nations and the Kimberley Process to control the trade in diamonds.
Remarking on Polyakov’s selection as vice president, Asscher said, “I am confident that the WDC will continue to lead the fight against conflict diamonds under the future strong leadership of Mr. Polyakov.”
Also during the WDC board meeting, which took place alongside the annual general meeting, the board named Udi Sheintal as the WDC’s general counsel. He replaces Cecilia Gardner, who stepped down in June.
