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De Beers Promotes 4 Internally, Neil Ventura Exits
In addition, De Beers’ head of human resources is moving over to parent company Anglo American.
PHOTO Ryan Perry, De Beers Group’s new acting executive vice president of strategy and innovation
PHOTO Malebogo Mpugwa, the new executive head of human resources
PHOTO Rasila Vaghijiani, the new executive vice president of transformation
PHOTO Riaan Burger, CEO of Namdeb
London—De Beers has appointed four individuals to its executive committee following a series of internal promotions, including one to fill the role of the exiting Neil Ventura.
Ventura, who has been with De Beers for 32 years, is leaving the company to “pursue other interests” and will be replaced by Ryan Perry, who will step up from his current role as head of strategy to become acting executive vice president of strategy and innovation.
Malebogo Mpugwa joins the committee as executive head of human resources, succeeding Joy Roman, who is leaving De Beers to head HR for parent company Anglo American’s Technical & Sustainability function.
Rasila (Ras) Vaghjiani becomes a member of the committee in her new role as executive vice president of transformation for De Beers.
And Riaan Burger joins the ExCo as CEO of Namdeb, the joint venture between De Beers and the Government of the Republic of Namibia.
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Ventura, who has been with De Beers for 32 years, is leaving the company to “pursue other interests” and will be replaced by Ryan Perry, who will step up from his current role as head of strategy to become acting executive vice president of strategy and innovation.
Malebogo Mpugwa joins the committee as executive head of human resources, succeeding Joy Roman, who is leaving De Beers to head HR for parent company Anglo American’s Technical & Sustainability function.
Rasila (Ras) Vaghjiani becomes a member of the committee in her new role as executive vice president of transformation for De Beers.
And Riaan Burger joins the ExCo as CEO of Namdeb, the joint venture between De Beers and the Government of the Republic of Namibia.
The internal reshuffling comes a week after the company announced that current CEO Bruce Cleaver would be stepping down early next year.
Commenting on the changes, Cleaver said: “I’m delighted to have Riaan, Ras, Malebogo, and Ryan join the executive committee. We have a huge wealth of talent in the group with expertise right across the diamond value chain.
“Adding the breadth and depth of skills of the new appointees to the ExCo will be of great benefit as we continue to implement our strategy.”
He thanked Ventura for his more than three decades of service to De Beers, noting the roles the longtime executive has played in transforming the company’s auction business and helping to shepherd major initiatives, such as lab-grown diamond brand Lightbox and Tracr, De Beers’ blockchain platform, through their incubation phases.
He also thanked the departing head of HR, Roman.
“I … congratulate her on this new role that will be a fantastic opportunity for her as she builds on the experience she has brought to De Beers to lead the global people and organization strategy for Anglo American’s Technical & Sustainability function. I wish them both every success for the future.”
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