From June 15, 2020, she will take on a consulting advisory position focusing on GIA’s Diamond Origin Report service.
Nirupa Bhatt will be transitioning from her full-time position as managing director of Gemological Institute of America, India (GIA India), from June 15, 2020. She announced that she intends to transition to a consulting advisory position focusing on GIA’s Diamond Origin Report service. “This decision offers a smooth succession plan for GIA India, with me available to personally guide a quality transition for customers and the trade,” she added. Bhatt’s position will be filled by Sriram Natarajan, currently vice president of Laboratory Operations, and he will report to the organisation’s board of directors. Prior to joining GIA India in August 2017, he held operational and leadership roles in a variety of international industries. Apoorva Deshingkar, who joined GIA India in 2009, has been announced as the organisation’s senior director of sales, reporting to Natarajan.
Bhatt joined GIA India on January 1, 2008, with a responsibility to expand 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 GIA commented, “Nirupa 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 noted, “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.” 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 Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA). She also served on several juries for industry awards and she established the India chapter of WJA.
THE GRANDE DAME OF INDIA’S DIAMOND INDUSTRY
Nirupa Bhatt needs no introduction to the Indian gem and jewellery industry. She radiates a sense of self-assuredness and purpose that comes with the territory. Recognised with several accolades and awards by her peers, Bhatt has played a pivotal role in the prominent positions she has held during her long and illustrious career. Disentangling oneself from stereotypes is not an easy task, but Bhatt has always let her work speak for itself. She has toiled with a singular purpose – to ensure the welfare of the industry at large. The announcement of her stepping down from the managing director’s post of GIA India took the industry by surprise. But for a woman whose aim has always been able to rediscover herself through the different and challenging roles that she takes on each time, she is clearly excited about her onward journey. Bhatt, in an email interview with Shanoo Bijlani, reminisces about her life, career, challenges and learnings.
You were the first woman in India to break the glass ceiling in this industry, especially since the industry was maledominated.
My approach has been that I am first a human being, then a woman. This has helped me to be strong, empathetic and an assertive professional. It is a privilege to be born as a woman, and I have enjoyed my journey in the gem and jewellery industry. Each role and industry presents challenges and opportunities. I focussed on the opportunities presented in this sector. My efforts in understanding the industry and its needs helped me to connect with the enterprising diamond community and jewellers. I have great admiration and respect for the Indian diamantaires for establishing our country as a global cutting and polishing centre. I owe my success to the lessons I learnt from owners of small cutting units to multi-million-dollar global business owners. Earlier, I worked in the engineering industry and travelled to smaller towns across the country for sales. I learned early on that effectiveness is appreciated irrespective of gender. I applied being sincere and truthful to the cause and so, did not have problems.
I lost my father at a young age. My mother was a strong-willed, hard working woman. I saw her raising us in adversity and she encouraged us to achieve our dreams. My training in the National Cadet Corps and becoming a senior under officer, attending the Republic Day Parade and national camps gave me confidence to be myself. Thanks to my family that empowered me, and taught me not be intimidated.
Tell us more about yourself, and the reasons why you choose to join this industry.
The uniqueness of this industry is its ability to teach newcomers how to flourish and contribute towards its growth. I am grateful to so many for giving me their time and helping me to grow. My entry to the industry was accidental and I am so glad to be here. During these years, I have worked with two generations – the first generation was my guru, and I am happy to have contributed to the growth of many from the second generation. Today, many of these young men and women are leading the businesses and my connection with their families for the last 30 years has helped me nurture those relationships.
Which was your first job in the industry and what lessons did you take away from it?
The journey into the world of gems is always fascinating and mine has been very fortunate. I worked with Argyle Diamonds and it was a great place to work at. Argyle was new to the industry and was keen to make a difference. It was not easy to get the role in Argyle as there was some hesitation to hire a woman in India. However, once I was hired, there was no looking back.
My expertise at the time was market intelligence and I was able to provide them with a better understanding of the industry. I acquired knowledge through my work with those in the diamond trade, and from other experts and jewellers in India, Antwerp, Australia and the US. Their goal was to help the Indian industry improve technical capabilities to cut and polish diamonds and market them effectively. We worked with the diamond cutters in Gujarat to improve their productivity and yield from rough diamonds. Another major role was to work with jewellery manufacturers and exporters to help them design, merchandise and market jewellery for American retailers. I feel very satisfied that I could make a difference through those programmes. I am fortunate to serve industry organisations and that has helped me to contribute to the greater good of the industry. My biggest lesson from Argyle Diamonds was to respect and fulfil customer needs.
Could you share an anecdote or two about the hurdles you faced then as a newcomer?
I distinctly remember two stories. The first was my interaction with Mike Mitchell, general manager of sales and marketing, when I was visiting the Argyle Diamonds headquarters in Perth within a few weeks of joining the company. He called me into his beautiful corner office overlooking the park and said, “India is very important for Argyle Diamonds and the need to understand and support the industry.” He also told me that I was hired against the conventional wisdom (he was referring to hiring a woman in India from a male-dominated industry) and that Argyle was investing in me. Sensing his hesitation, I assured him that he and Argyle Diamonds will never regret the decision. The rest is history. I learned a lot from Mike. He was a great manager, a taskmaster, and a fine gentleman who kept the team spirit high. I am lucky to have worked with the Argyle team.
The second instance is when the Argyle Board decided not to renew their contract with De Beers, and go to market directly in 1996. It was one of the most challenging times, as I used to visit diamond offices in Opera House, Mumbai, to support the existing customers and identify potential customers. I was told by a few leading diamantaires that I was wasting my time with Argyle Diamonds and that this decision to go to market directly would fail. The entire Argyle team worked diligently and sincerely to make this board’s decision successful. The leadership of managing director Gordon Gilchrist and general manager Mike Mitchell led us to success, and it became a turning point in the history of the diamond industry. Some of these diamantaires became Argyle Diamonds customers. It was a well-deserved success.
When did you actually start to make a mark for yourself? Expound on the qualities one requires – to scale up the ladder of success.
It took about three years for me to get my vehicle in top gear. I started doing price discoveries and connected with grassroots workers in villages and small towns of Gujarat. Diamantaires in Opera House were not willing to give me the time. However, over those three years, they started to hear about me visiting factories, providing technical support and my efforts to work with jewellery manufactures to understand the US market. Formation of the Indo Argyle Diamond Council (IADC) and the development of Business Excellence Model (BEM) were the two important milestones. My experiences have taught me to adapt in a challenging environment. I live and thrive in uncertainties, and I do not give up.
After having spent 20 years with Argyle Diamonds (later Rio Tinto Diamonds), I started my stint with the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) India as managing director of India and Middle East in 2008. My role was to create awareness about the institute’s mission of ensuring public trust in gems and jewellery through research, education and laboratory services across the length and breadth of India and the Middle East. I felt this was the perfect opportunity for me to contribute extensively to this industry.
Your advice to the women entrepreneurs and designers of today.
The gem and jewellery industry thrives because of women and I believe that an increase of women in the workforce at all levels will bring fresh perspectives, hopefully leading to expansion and improved quality. We are fortunate to be able to work with natural precious gemstones like diamonds and precious metals like gold and platinum. Entrepreneurs and designers – regardless of their gender – should respect the intrinsic value of these natural resources. The beautiful ornaments which are gifted and purchased often serve as a memory for decades. There are plenty of opportunities and trade bodies, like the GJEPC, are making efforts to give women the platform to shine. I urge women to come forward and demonstrate the value they add to their chosen profession. Persistence, purpose and passion are keys to recognition and making a difference.
How was it working at the helm of affairs at GIA India? And now as a consultant with GIA.
In the past 12 years, I have built a management team committed to furthering GIA’s mission. I was the first employee of GIA India in 2008, and today GIA India has more than 1,300 skilled and committed staff. I am confident that the team will take GIA India to greater heights. GIA’s leadership has been supportive and encouraging of India operations. The Indian diamond industry has benefitted with GIA’s grading services available at their doorsteps. In my opinion, there is great potential for GIA’s coloured stone and pearl identification services in India.
I am looking forward to working with GIA in an advisory/consulting role and focus on the GIA Diamond Origin Report. Backed by scientific matching of polished and rough diamond, the Diamond Origin Report service enables retailers to tell the story of where diamonds come from and the socio-economic impact it has on the region. I visited Argyle mine a few times and have witnessed the development of local community in terms of education, health and employability.
Other than being steeped in industry matters and GIA-related work all this while, how do you unwind? Tell us about your hobbies.
I love teaching and my first job was as a teacher. In the past three decades, I have mentored and coached many young men and women, helping them grow in their roles. During my Argyle days, I played a role of consultant to customers and IADC participants to manage, design and merchandise for the target market. I am a certified coach and love to empower people by coaching them. I also love reading, watching movies and cooking for my family. My favourite book is Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. Post coronavirus pandemic, where, according to you, will the Indian diamond industry be headed? How long do you think it will take for the industry to come out of the downturn? NB: This is a difficult and unprecedented time for all industries across the globe. I am not a health expert and do not know when will it be over.
Jewellery has an emotional appeal. It is possible that as we come out of this situation, consumers will return to stores. Since industries like tourism are likely to be adversely impacted, there may be a possibility that some consumer spend could be directed at discretionary purchases.
Any one key mantra that you think the industry should adopt to reach greater heights?
The manufacturing competency of Indian gem and jewellery industry is recognised globally and has potential to be the single-point sourcing centre for retailers. Indian jewellery manufacturers should focus on quality, productivity and design.