Appoinment
Platinum Guild International announces organizational changes
Industry Veteran Huw Daniel to retire, Tim Schlick named new CEO
Platinum Guild International, the jewellery industry’s authority on the world’s most precious metal, announced today that its long-time chief executive, Huw Daniel, will retire at the end of March, after twenty one years with the organization. He will be succeeded by Tim Schlick the organization’s current Chief Operating Officer, who will begin his tenure as Chief Executive Officer on April 4, 2024. Having been a valued member of PGI since 2015, when he joined as Chief Strategy Officer, the transition is expected to be seamless.
Originally from Wales, Daniel spent a large portion of his career in advertising, working in both Europe and Asia, for notable clients such as British Airways and Proctor & Gamble, prior to joining PGI. His first introduction to the jewellery industry was his tenure with DeBeers in Asia Pacific, where he worked on campaigns for eleven global markets.
Having started his tenure in 2003 as president of PGI USA, Daniel rose to the position of CEO in 2015.
On becoming CEO, Daniel shared, “It allowed me to leverage all the great people at PGI to build a high performing global team focused on driving innovation and value creation for the jewellery industry with platinum.”
When asked how PGI’s role within the industry has changed during his time at the helm, he noted “Our organization has evolved from a marketing/PR/event machine to a business partner with the jewelry industry. Platinum will always be a small part of the industry due to its natural rarity, but it can be a very important driver of differentiation and profitability. PGI’s focus today is to enable our partners to get the maximum incremental return from this superb material.”
Benny Oeyen, Executive Head, Market Development, PGMs, for Anglo American, who support Platinum Guild International via dedicated funding, commented “It has been a pleasure to work with Huw over the years and I thank him for his unwavering commitment to developing the demand for platinum jewelry globally.” He continued, “My congratulations to Tim on his new role and I look forward to continuing to work closely together, as our relationship with Platinum Guild is fundamental to building and supporting platinum’s growth in the jewellery sector.”
Schlick’s vision for the future includes building on the strong foundation established by Daniel. He explained, “To me, the next logical step is to apply what we have built over the years to unlock more opportunities for the trade, and by doing so, create incremental value for both our partners and sponsors, scaling the value we create.”
Appoinment
Naresh Balani appointed Chairman of JMA Forum
With a mission to drive growth, innovation, and collaboration, the Forum works tirelessly toward the advancement and overall development of this critical sector.
Naresh Balani has been appointed Chairman, JEWELLERY MACHINERY & ACCESSORIES (JMA) Forum. JMA Forum aims at building a strong association for Jewellery Machinery & Allied Industry and works towards the betterment and development of this sector.
Representing a wide spectrum of stakeholders — from manufacturers to traders — JMA members collectively address the evolving needs of the jewellery industry. Through a continuous focus on technological upgrades and process innovations, the JMA Forum ensures that cutting-edge solutions are readily accessible, empowering the industry to enhance efficiency, precision, and creativity.
The Indian jewellery machinery sector is thriving due to a combination of factors, including strong domestic demand, increasing exports, and technological advancements. The sector is well-positioned for continued growth, with a focus on automation, innovation, and meeting evolving consumer preferences.
Naresh Balani, Chairman, JMA Forum said. ““I am truly honored to assume the role of Chairman of the JMA Forum. With deep gratitude, I sincerely thank all our members and mentors for placing their trust in me. I take on this responsibility with a strong commitment to progress, unity, and innovation in the jewellery machinery sector.
Together with our core committee members, we will focus on skill development through zonal seminars, the launch of our official industry magazine, and expanding the JMAIIE exhibition to multiple cities across India. These initiatives are aimed at driving knowledge, empowering our members, and fostering nationwide growth in our industry.”
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has announced the appointment of Pritesh Patel as its next President and Chief Executive Officer, effective August 4, 2025. Patel, who currently serves as GIA’s Chief Operating Officer, will take over the role from Susan M. Jacques, who will retire at the end of this year after more than a decade in the leadership position
The announcement follows a global search by GIA’s Board of Governors and marks a significant leadership transition at the nearly century-old institution. Patel becomes one of the few leaders to rise through the institute’s ranks, having joined GIA in 2015 as Chief Information Officer before being promoted to COO in 2017.
In his new role, Patel will lead GIA’s global operations, which span education, laboratory services, research, and instrument development. Outgoing CEO Susan Jacques, who has been with GIA in various leadership capacities for over 30 years, will continue as a strategic advisor until her formal retirement in December 2025. During her tenure, Jacques oversaw GIA’s navigation through major industry and global shifts — including the rise of lab-grown diamonds, the COVID-19 pandemic, and evolving consumer expectations — all while reinforcing the institute’s core mission of protecting public trust in gems and jewellery.
Appoinment
PGI appoints Vaishali Banerjee as Head – Global Market Development; Pallavi Sharma named Dy Country Manager – India & ME
Platinum Guild International (PGI) expanded its leadership team, appointing Vaishali Banerjee as Head of Global Market Development. She will also retain her current role as Managing Director – India & Middle East, two key regions for the metal’s growth.
“This is a transformative time for platinum,” said Vaishali Banerjee. “We are witnessing a shift in global sentiment towards meaningful consumption. Platinum — with its rarity, preciousness, and enduring value — is perfectly poised to accompany this moment. I look forward to further strengthening our presence in India and the UAE while building momentum across key and emerging global markets.”
Further reinforcing its leadership bench, PGI has elevated Pallavi Sharma to Deputy Country Manager – India & Middle East. With these regions remaining strategic priorities, the move highlights PGI’s continued focus on driving platinum’s growth through direct market engagement, strategic partnerships, and targeted development initiatives.
“I’m excited to take on this new role at such a dynamic juncture,” said Pallavi Sharma. “Platinum’s narrative is evolving rapidly, and our focus will be on deepening consumer connections and expanding retail partnerships to ensure sustainable category growth across India and the UAE.”
These leadership changes come as platinum gains renewed attention for its price advantage and intrinsic value, positioning it for a promising new growth phase globally.
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