Nirupa Bhatt has announced that she will be transitioning  from her full-time position as Managing Director of GIA India Laboratory Pvt. Ltd. (GIA India), effective June 15, 2020. 

“I intend to transition from my current operational role as Managing Director of GIA India to a consulting advisory position focusing on GIA’s Diamond Origin Report service,” Bhatt said.  “This decision offers a smooth succession plan for GIA India, with me available to personally guide a quality transition for customers and the trade.”

Bhatt joined GIA India on January 1, 2008, with responsibility for expanding education programmes and laboratory services. She oversaw the opening of the GIA India laboratory in Mumbai, and increased the scope of GIA education offerings in India. In 2018, GIA India opened a laboratory in Surat to serve clients in that important diamond manufacturing centre.

In her role as Managing Director, Bhatt oversaw the successful 10-year expansion of GIA India.

Susan Jacques, President and CEO of Gemological Institute of America, Inc. (GIA) commented: “Nirupa Bhatt has overseen the launch of the GIA India laboratories in Mumbai and Surat, and the GIA education programmes in India. She has been instrumental in the establishment of GIA India, and her tremendous contribution to the industry, to GIA India and to our mission will have a lasting impact that will long be remembered.”

Bhatt said: “The Indian gem and jewellery industry is very important for its role in employment generation, forex earnings and socio-economic development. I’m glad to have worked with organisations like Argyle / Rio Tinto and GIA that have given me the opportunity to contribute to the growth story of the industry. I look forward to continuing my association with trade bodies including GJEPC.”

Prior to joining GIA India, Bhatt was with the mining conglomerate Rio Tinto – owner of the Argyle Diamond Mine in Australia and the Diavik Diamond Mine in Canada – for 20 years. She also managed the Indo Argyle Diamond Council.

Apart from her full time jobs, Bhatt has been active in many industry and trade organisations, including The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), the All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC), the Indian Diamond & Colorstone Association (IDCA) New York and the U.S. Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA).

Bhatt has served on several judging panels for industry awards and she established the India chapter of WJA.

She is a  widely respected figure in the gems and jewellery industry and has been recognised for her many contributions to the trade,

Her position will be filled by Sriram Natarajan, currently Vice President of Laboratory Operations, since joining GIA India in August 2017. He will take over as Managing Director of GIA India, reporting to GIA India’s Board of Directors. Prior to his current role, Natarajan held operational and leadership roles in a variety of international industries.

GIA also announced that Apoorva Deshingkar, who joined GIA India in 2009, will become Senior Director of Sales for GIA India, reporting to Natarajan.

Pic Cap: Nirupa Bhatt

Pic Courtesy: GIA