The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) has announced that Dr. Wilfried Hoerner (Argor Heraeus SA) has been elected as the new Chairman of its Board during its AGM held recently at Las Vegas. Mark Jenkins (Signet Jewelers Ltd) was re-appointed as Honorary Secretary, the RJC said.

Other members elected to the Board as representatives of their respective fora include Michael Steinmetz (Leo Schachter Diamonds LLC), Ankur Goyal (MMTC-PAMP India Pvt Ltd), Jean-Baptiste Dembreville (Baume & Mercier), Bernard Malek (Cartier SA) and Harriet Kelsall (Harriet Kelsall Jewellery Design Ltd).

Hoerner, the new chairman said, "I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the RJC Membership for electing me as Chair of its Board of Directors. I’m conscious of the duties and tasks ahead and the honour you’ve bestowed upon me.  Although there are challenges ahead, I look forward to working with the Management Team to take advantage of the many opportunities as we prepare for the next decade of the RJC.”

On behalf of the Management Team RJC Executive Director Andrew Bone thanked Charles Chaussepied (Piaget) for his service as Interim Chair and said that his “wise counsel and support have been critical during a period of transition and he leaves us well equipped to face the future”. Chaussepied has agreed to be vice-Chair for the next few months, the RJC said.

Following the AGM, RJC hosted an open discussion with a selection of panelist guests from the jewellery pipeline – mine to retail. The interactive session panelists focused on the value proposition of RJC Certification and its impact on their companies’ performance against such issues as mandatory legislation, access to global markets and how businesses can prepare for the next wave of discerning consumers. The panel included representatives from De Beers, Metalor, Venus Jewel, Richline, the Fair Trade Jewellery Company, and DDI and moderated by Signet Jewelers Ltd.