DiamondBuzz
Dubai Diamond Exchange Expands Board With Three New Appointment
New Board Appointments Strengthen DDE’s Expertise In Global Markets, Governance and Responsible Sourcing.
The Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE), part of DMCC, has expanded its Board of Directors with the appointment of Neil Ventura, Weizhang Liang and Wafa Jaffery, strengthening its leadership across global diamond markets, governance and responsible sourcing.
The board will continue to be chaired by Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DMCC. The new appointments are aimed at reinforcing Dubai’s position as a leading hub for the global diamond and precious stones trade.
Neil Ventura joins as Member and Secretary of the DDE Board. He brings more than 35 years of experience across mining, trading, jewellery and technology, having held senior roles at De Beers and Anglo American. He currently serves as Special Advisor to DMCC’s Precious Stones Ecosystem.
Weizhang Liang, former President of the Guangzhou Diamond Exchange and China’s Kimberley Process focal point for over 15 years, joins the board with extensive expertise in international diamond policy and the Chinese market. He also advised the UAE’s Kimberley Process Chairmanship in 2025.
Wafa Jaffery, a longstanding member of DMCC’s Precious Stones team, was elected to the Board of Directors of the World Diamond Council in 2026. She also serves on the Kimberley Process Task Force and the Responsible Jewellery Council Standards Committee.
Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman of the Dubai Diamond Exchange, said:
The appointments would enhance the exchange’s ability to support the industry’s growth and evolution.
“The strength of the Dubai Diamond Exchange has always been built on the depth of expertise within DMCC’s precious stones ecosystem. These appointments reflect the calibre of leadership that DMCC has developed over many years and reinforce Dubai’s position as one of the world’s leading centres for the diamond and precious stones trade.”
The DDE is the world’s largest diamond tender facility and a major marketplace for rough and polished diamonds, coloured gemstones and pearls. Operating within DMCC, it provides infrastructure and trading facilities that connect miners, manufacturers, traders, financiers and retailers across the global diamond supply chain.
DiamondBuzz
Global Diamond Consortium Announces Agreement To Acquire Anglo American’s Stake In De Beers In Landmark $1 Billion Transaction
Consortium Commits An Additional $500 Million Post-Acquisition Capital Injection and Enters Strategic Dialogues With The Government Of Botswana.
The Global Diamond Consortium, a strategic partnership comprising the governments of Namibia and Angola alongside leading global diamond traders, today announced an agreement to acquire Anglo American’s equity stake in De Beers.
Key Transaction Terms & Reinvestment Strategy
Under the terms of the agreement:
- Initial Consideration: The consortium will pay $750 million upfront upon closing.
- Deferred Consideration: An additional $250 million will be paid in subsequent installments, bringing the total transaction value to $1 billion.
- Post-Acquisition Capital: The consortium has committed to injecting approximately $500 million in fresh capital directly into De Beers following the acquisition to stabilize operations and fuel long-term operational initiatives.
Navigating Market Dynamics
The acquisition marks a pivotal turning point for De Beers, which has faced significant broader market downturns in recent years. After reaching a peak valuation of $17.6 billion in 2001, De Beers’ reported book value adjusted to $2.3 billion earlier this year. The consortium’s capital injection aims to position the iconic diamond producer for renewed stability and sustainable value creation across the global supply chain.
Strategic Regional Collaboration
Central to the transition is the consortium’s commitment to producer-nation equity and strategic alignment. In addition to the direct participation of the governments of Namibia and Angola, the consortium is actively negotiating with the Government of the Republic of Botswana.
Botswana, which currently holds a 15% stake in De Beers, has expressed a formal intent to increase its ownership share as part of the strategic restructuring.
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