RJC Elects New Board Members

RAPAPORT... The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) has expanded its board and appointed seven trade members to represent different parts of the supply chain.New board members include Feriel Zerouki, RJC honorary treasurer and senior vice president of international relations and ethical initiatives for De Beers, as well as Matthew Kilgariff, the council's honorary secretary and director of corporate social responsibility at Richemont. They will be responsible for supporting the chair and vice chair, as well as ensuring the smooth running of the board and executive committee.The members were appointed at the RJC's virtual annual general meeting last week. David Bouffard, Signet's vice president of corporate affairs, remains chairman, while Peter Karakchiev from Alrosa will retain the role of vice chair. "Nothing is more important than the continuous improvement in the integrity of the global jewelry supply chain to help strengthen consumer confidence and underpin its future with greater trust," said Bouffard. "Especially at this particularly challenging time, [the new and returning board members'] guidance into the future of RJC will be vital to help further strengthen the RJC's position."The RJC also appointed one representative for each of seven member forums relating to sections of the jewelry and watch industry. They are:Stephen Lussier, De BeersAlok Kumbhat, JewelexPhilipp Reisert, C. HafnerFranziska Gsell, IWCEric de Rocquigny, Van Cleef & ArpelsBoaz Lev, Gem Lab ServicesGaetano Cavalieri, CIBJOImage: Feriel Zerouki. (De Beers)