Asscher to Lead World Diamond Council

RAPAPORT... Edward Asscher, president of Royal Asscher Diamond Company, will take over as president of the World Diamond Council (WDC) in June for a two-year term.Asscher, currently vice president of the WDC, will succeed Stephane Fischler, who will exit during the WDC's annual general meeting in the first week of June, ahead of the Kimberley Process (KP) intersessional in Moscow. Asscher previously served as the WDC's president from 2014 to 2016. The change comes as the WDC introduces its new system of warranties (SoW), guidelines the organization established to keep the supply chain conflict-free, beyond what the KP offers. The system obligates diamond suppliers and jewelry manufacturers to provide a warranty statement of conflict-free status each time stones change hands. The WDC has now opened its SoW for public review.Last week, the WDC announced Elodie Daguzan would join as executive director, replacing Marie-Chantal Kaninda, who stepped down in August. Image: Edward Asscher. (Royal Asscher)