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Paul De Wachter Appointed New CEO of HRD Antwerp

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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 will assume the role in January 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. Former CEO Ellen Joncheere, whose contract was not renewed, is stepping down, with Stanley De Belie appointed as interim CEO during the transition phase.

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 Head 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.

The Board of Directors of HRD Antwerp has expressed full confidence in the new CEO. “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 us that he is the right person to lead HRD Antwerp into the future,” said Bart De Hantsetters, on behalf of the Board of Directors.

The Board also extended its thanks to Ellen Joncheere, who is stepping down after a little more than five years as CEO of HRD Antwerp, for her dedication and service.

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Appoinment

KISNA Appoints Rajeev Toshniwal as Chief Financial Officer as Brand Scales Retail Presence Across Bharat

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KISNA Diamond and Gold Jewellery, the flagship brand of the Hari Krishna Group, has announced the appointment of Rajeev Toshniwal as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), strengthening its leadership team at a time when the brand is accelerating retail expansion and deepening its omnichannel presence across India.

In his role, Toshniwal will oversee KISNA’s finance, strategy, compliance and governance functions, working closely with the leadership team to support disciplined growth, enhance operational efficiencies, and strengthen financial systems as the brand continues to scale nationally.

Toshniwal brings over two decades of experience across retail, FMCG and apparel businesses. A Chartered Accountant and Company Secretary, he has held senior finance leadership roles across organisations including Noble Group SA, Think9 Consumer, Raymond Limited and the Future Group, with extensive experience in managing large, multi-location retail networks, improving store-level profitability, and strengthening governance frameworks.

The appointment comes as KISNA continues to expand its footprint through an asset-light retail model, with strong momentum across franchise and shop-in-shop formats, particularly in Tier 2, Tier 3 and emerging markets. The brand has also strengthened its omnichannel capabilities, integrating digital discovery with offline inventory and fulfillment to drive assisted commerce and improve store-level conversions. Alongside expansion, KISNA remains focused on design-led innovation, accessible diamond jewellery, and transparent customer policies that reinforce long-term trust.

Commenting on the appointment, Ghanshyam Dholakia, Founder & Managing Director, Hari Krishna Group and KISNA Diamond and Gold Jewellery, said, “As KISNA continues to scale its retail presence across the country, building a strong and experienced leadership team is critical. Toshniwal’s deep understanding of retail finance and governance will add significant strength to our leadership bench and support the brand’s long-term growth vision.”

Parag Shah, CEO, KISNA Diamond and Gold Jewellery, added, “KISNA is at an important inflection point, with rapid expansion across Bharat and increasing demand for accessible, design-led diamond jewellery. Toshniwal’s appointment strengthens our leadership team and will help sharpen financial discipline, execution and scalability as we grow.”

Commenting on his appointment, Rajeev Toshniwal, Chief Financial Officer, KISNA Diamond and Gold Jewellery, said, “KISNA has built a strong foundation rooted in trust, accessibility and design. I look forward to working closely with the leadership team to strengthen financial systems, support profitable growth and enable the brand’s next phase of expansion across India.”

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