Philippe Mellier, former CEO of De Beers Group, passed away on 15 July at the age of 69. Mellier, who led De Beers from 2011 to 2016, was the first outsider to head the company. He brought a fresh, business-driven approach to the diamond industry after a successful career in the automotive and transport sectors, including senior roles at Renault Trucks, Ford, and Alstom.

During his tenure, Mellier steered De Beers through a period of significant change, including the relocation of rough diamond sales to Botswana. He also engaged closely with key industry bodies like GJEPC, strengthening De Beers’ relationship with India’s diamond manufacturing sector. He is remembered for his collaborative leadership and his efforts to modernise the diamond supply chain.