(IDEX Online) - The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) has appointed vice chairman John Hall to serve as interim executive director.It follows the resignation on 29 March of Iris Van der Veken, over its failure to take a tougher stance against Alrosa, the miner that is one-third owned by the Russian government.Hall (pictured) was a founding member of London-based watchdog and worked previously as general manager of external affairs for Rio Tinto.The RJC has been hit by a number of departures recently over its perceived failure to act against Russia's invasion of Ukraine. They include Pandora, the Danish charm maker; Richemont, the Swiss-based company that counts Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Jaeger-leCoultre and Piaget among its 26 maisons; Kering, French owner of Boucheron, Gucci, Alexander McQueen and Yves Saint Laurent, and British-based Watches of Switzerland Group.Bulgari's jewelry boss Mauro di Roberto has resigned from the RJC, although the Italian luxury group, owned by LVMH, will remain a member for the time being. Alrosa suspended its membership of the RJC following Van der Veken's departure.We have approached RJC for comment.