Appointment
Paul De Wachter Appointed as CEO of HRD Antwerp
The Board of Directors of HRD Antwerp, a subsidiary of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), has appointed Paul De Wachter as its new CEO. Bringing over twenty years of experience and a proven track record in the international diamond industry, De Wachter is to take charge as CEO from January 5, 2026. As CEO, he is tasked with strengthening HRD’s position as a reliable partner for the international diamond trade and leading the organisation through a period of significant transformation.
De Wachter began his career in the diamond sector in 2002 and rose to the position of Senior Relationship Manager at the Antwerp Diamond Bank. After a brief period at Channel Capital Advisors in a similar role, he joined the National Bank of Fujairah (NBF), where he has been active for more than seven years. He started there as He ad of the Antwerp Representative Office, focusing on building a strong local client portfolio. Since 2020, he has served as Head of the Diamond Unit, where he expanded the bank’s brand and significantly strengthened its market position.
“With his extensive experience in the international diamond industry, his strong and relevant network, and the concrete results he has achieved as Head of the Diamond Unit at NBF, Paul convinced the Board that he is the right person to lead HRD Antwerp into the future,” says Bart De Hantsetters, on behalf of the Board of Directors.
“I am very much looking forward to taking on this new challenge at HRD Antwerp, especially at a time when the international diamond industry is facing major challenges — from shifting consumer expectations to the emergence of lab-grown diamonds. I am honoured by the trust the Board of Directors of HRD Antwerp has placed in me and am deeply committed to strengthening HRD’s role as a trusted partner to the industry,” says Paul De Wachter.
HRD Antwerp is Europe’s leading authority in diamond grading, jewellery grading, and education. HRD Antwerp draws upon 575 years of experience passed down through Antwerp’s diamond trade and strive for perfection by delivering the highest quality in all our products and services. In 2012, HRD Antwerp opened a diamond grading laboratory in Mumbai to serve local and international demand for diamond certification. This marked the company’s entry into India’s certification landscape. By 2018, HRD Antwerp expanded to offer Jewellery Certification in India, reflecting a broader certification portfolio beyond diamonds alone. HRD India, maintains its headquarters in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) with a dedicated diamond grading lab. The organization extends its jewellery grading labs and drop-off points for diamonds to key diamond & jewellery hubs including Mumbai’s Mega CFC in SEEPZ, Surat, Delhi, Jaipur, Kolkata,and Hyderabad.
Appointment
Diamonds For Development Fund Chairperson Announced As Dr. Akinwumi Adesina
Internationally Respected Leader and Renowned Development Economist To Lead The Fund Focused On Powering Botswana’s Economic Diversification
The Government of the Republic of Botswana and De Beers Group have announced the appointment of Dr. Akinwumi Adesina as Chairperson of the Diamonds for Development Fund.
Dr. Adesina is a globally respected leader and renowned development economist with nearly 40 years of experience in African and international development. He served as the 8th elected President of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), first elected in 2015 and re-elected in 2020, completing his second term in September 2025.
During his tenure as President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr. Adesina’s notable achievements included:
- Increasing the Bank’s capital from $93 billion to $318 billion, the largest expansion in its history.
- Establishing the Africa Investment Forum, which has mobilised over $225 billion in investment interest for African projects since its launch in 2018.
- Launching the transformative High 5s Strategy in 2015, which has positively impacted the lives of 565 million people across Africa.
- Leading the development of Mission 300, a joint initiative of the African Development Bank Group and the World Bank Group, aimed at providing access to electricity for 300 million Africans by 2030.
Dr. Adesina has also received extensive global recognition, including being named Forbes Africa Person of the Year in 2013 and 2019, Africa’s Man of the Year 2022 by EMY Africa, and consistently ranking among the 100 Most Influential Africans by New Africa Magazine. He was also listed among the 100 Most Reputable People in the World by Reputation Poll International.
Honourable Bogolo Kenewendo, Minister of Minerals and Energy for the Government of the Republic of Botswana, said:
“We are proud and honoured to have Dr. Akinwumi Adesina join the Diamonds for Development Fund as Chairperson. His appointment strengthens Botswana’s commitment to maximising the value of its diamond resources as a catalyst for economic transformation, diversification, innovation, beneficiation, and citizen participation in the diamond value chain. We draw inspiration from Dr. Adesina’s achievements as an internationally accomplished reformer and look forward to his leadership in delivering the Fund’s ambitious mandate.”
Al Cook, CEO of De Beers Group, said:
“When we established the groundbreaking Diamonds for Development Fund with the Botswana Government, we knew it would require an exceptional leader to realise our vision of economic diversification and job creation. Dr. Adesina’s outstanding track record in African development, strong governance credentials, and commitment to long-term impact make him the ideal person to lead the Fund. I look forward to seeing him guide this important initiative in the years ahead.”
Dr. Akinwumi Adesina said:
“I am greatly honoured to be appointed Chair of the Diamonds for Development Fund by the Government of Botswana and De Beers Group. This is a bold and visionary initiative designed to ensure that the people of Botswana directly benefit from the wealth generated by diamonds. It is not only diamonds that should shine—the lives of the people of Botswana must shine as well. The Fund has the potential to set a global benchmark for how natural resource wealth can create enduring value for future generations. I look forward to working closely with all stakeholders to build a more prosperous future for Botswana.”
Dr. Adesina will formally assume his new role on 15 June 2026. The Diamonds for Development Fund is currently finalising the appointment of independent directors to its board as the next key step towards becoming fully operational.
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