De Beers Group said that Bruce Cleaver will be succeeded by Al Cook as CEO of De Beers Group from early next year. Bruce will become Co-Chairman of De Beers Group, alongside De Beers Group Chairman and Anglo American Chief Executive Duncan Wanblad.
During more than six years as CEO of De Beers Group, Bruce has led the business’s transformation across the value chain. During his tenure, the Group has launched the world’s largest and most sophisticated diamond recovery and exploration vessels; redesigned supply agreements with Sightholders to enhance the efficiency of rough diamond distribution; integrated the organisation’s downstream businesses; created Tracr™, the world’s only distributed diamond blockchain that starts at the source; launched the Lightbox Jewelry laboratory-grown diamond business; and established and embedded the Building Forever sustainability framework across the Group, including setting 12 ambitious sustainability goals for 2030.
Duncan Wanblad said: “Bruce has led De Beers with distinction, evolving the company’s strategic vision to ensure that consumers’ desire for diamond jewellery is at the very heart of decision making across the diamond pipeline… Bruce has successfully expanded De Beers’ horizons for the longer term and reinforced the company’s unquestioned leadership position, exemplified by De Beers’ Building Forever sustainability framework to ensure an enduring positive diamond legacy. I look forward to his contribution as Co-Chairman, ensuring the greatest continuity for the business and our partners and stakeholders.”
Reflecting on his time as De Beers Group CEO, Bruce Cleaver stated: “It has been a tremendous privilege for me to lead such an iconic company as De Beers with its rich history, great people and culture, and truly unique product offering. I would like to pay tribute to all those who have supported me along the way – including all my De Beers Group and Anglo American colleagues, the representatives of our partner governments, the De Beers Sightholder community and countless others within and outside the diamond trade.”
Al Cook said: “I am honoured to have the opportunity to lead the company behind the world’s leading diamond brand – De Beers. I look forward to working closely with De Beers’ people, customers, governments, and other stakeholders to ensure that De Beers continues to lead the industry and deliver sustainable and purpose-driven value.”