RAPAPORT... WD Lab Grown Diamonds has hired heads of marketing, merchandise and operations as the US-based producer expands under private-equity ownership.Brittany Lewis joined WD earlier this year to lead marketing and merchandising, the company said last week. Her background is in branding, marketing and digital transformation for startups.Meanwhile, Caleb Wood has come on board as chief operating officer following experience in leadership and change management, including at Swiss building company LafargeHolcim."The addition of these key leaders reflects the company's progressive vision for change within the industry," WD noted. "The WD leadership team remains committed to expanding consumer access to lab-grown diamonds, as well as providing a consistent, uninterrupted supply of high-quality, ethically created product for the lab-grown market."The hires come after private-equity firm Huron Capital made an investment in the synthetic-diamond company in early 2019. Later that year, WD recruited Sue Rechner as CEO.WD maintained operations during the Covid-19 pandemic because of its status as an essential business, the company added.Image: Brittany Lewis and Caleb Wood. (WD Lab Grown Diamonds)