De Beers’ CEO transition—which was scheduled to occur early this year—has been given a date: Feb. 20.
On that day, energy executive Al Cook (pictured), an industry newcomer, will take over from Bruce Cleaver.
Cleaver has served as De Beers’ CEO since 2016. Upon stepping down as CEO, he will become De Beers’ cochair, serving alongside Duncan Wanblad, CEO of Anglo American, which owns 85% of De Beers.
Cleaver has said he plans his chairmanship to be “more than part-time…I will stay in touch with the trade.”
Prior to coming to De Beers, Cook served as executive vice president of international exploration and production for Equinor, Norway’s state-owned energy company, where he ran operations in 12 countries across Africa, North America, South America, and Europe. Before that, he led the company’s global strategy and business development, where he developed its net-zero strategy.
Photo © De Beers Group, DR.
