De Beers Exec Jonathan Kendall to Retire

RAPAPORT... Jonathan Kendall, a key executive in De Beers' downstream activities, will retire at the end of the year following two decades with the business.Kendall was most recently president of De Beers Group Industry Services - the miner's grading unit - and of the company's Institute of Diamonds. In that role, he oversaw the building of laboratories in Antwerp and in Surat, India, De Beers said Friday.He has held several other positions since joining De Beers in 2001, including launching the Forevermark retail program in 2005. Kendall also helped modernize the company's approach to client relationships, and carried out major marketing campaigns."Jonnie has made a significant contribution both to De Beers and to the wider diamond industry over the past two decades, and is highly regarded by colleagues and clients alike," said Stephen Lussier, De Beers' executive vice president for consumer and brands. "His leadership and dedication to always acting in the best interests of the diamond industry in underpinning consumer desire for, and trust in, diamonds, will leave a lasting legacy."Jamie Clark, who has worked alongside Kendall for much of his 23-year career at De Beers, will take over management of the company's diamond laboratories.Image: Jonathan Kendall. (De Beers)