Appointment
Pandora Appoints Berta de Pablos-Barbier CEO
Pandora has appointed Berta de Pablos-Barbier as the company’s new CEO, to succeed Alexander Lacik early next year.
Lacik has been the jeweler’s president and CEO for almost seven years, it said last week. He will retire at the March 2026 general meeting, after leading worldwide brands for over 30 years.
De Pablos-Barbier joined the company as chief masrketing officer (CMO) in November last year. She has played an important role in positioning Pandora as a complete jewelry brand, a key point in the business’s development plan. Brand awareness has reached record levels, and the product range and marketing approach have been revitalized with innovative ideas.
She brings over 30 years of experience to her new position, having worked at Mars Wrigley as chief growth officer, and as CMO of Lacoste, and president and CEO of LVMH’s champagne brands Moët & Chandon, Dom Perignon and Mercier.
“Together with Alexander Lacik, we brought [de Pablos-Barbier] on board as a possible CEO candidate, and during our search she stood out as the clear number one,” said board chair Peter Ruzicka. “She is a visionary leader with great analytical skills and a perfect mix of experience from top brands across luxury, fashion and fast-moving consumer goods. She is the right person to lead our continued growth, and I am pleased that we can maintain strategic focus and momentum during this smooth and orderly leadership transition.”
Appointment
Ronnie VanderLinden Appointed WDC President, Anoop Mehta Named VP
VanderLinden Stressed That The WDC’s Role Is To Help Build Confidence In Natural Diamonds and Support The Trade Globally
The World Diamond Council (WDC) has appointed Ronnie VanderLinden as its new President and diamantaire Anoop Mehta, Convenor – Diamond Panel, GJEPC, as Vice President. VanderLinden succeeds Feriel Zerouki, who was named Honorary WDC President during the AGM.
Speaking at the WDC Annual General Meeting held on 7th May 2026 in Antwerp, Belgium, VanderLinden said:
“Global natural diamond industry must unite behind a clear and consistent narrative at a time of weaker demand, growing competition, and fragmented messaging. We must speak with one voice for natural diamonds.”
VanderLinden said, stressing that the WDC’s role is to help build confidence in natural diamonds and support the trade globally. VanderLinden emphasized that the industry needs to clearly communicate the value proposition of natural diamonds, particularly their contribution to producing nations and communities. According to him, provenance, responsible sourcing, and the positive socio-economic impact of diamond mining will remain central to the industry’s messaging strategy.
He also reaffirmed the importance of the Kimberley Process (KP) in safeguarding consumer confidence. VanderLinden said the WDC would continue efforts to update the definition of conflict diamonds so that it reflects the reality of today’s risks and strengthens confidence in natural diamonds.
Joining VanderLinden in the WDC leadership team is newly appointed Vice President Anoop Mehta, whom he described as “a pillar of both the Indian and global natural diamond trade.”
The AGM also saw David Bonaparte elected as Treasurer, while Udi Sheintal was re-elected as Secretary.
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