LONDON — De Beers Group on Monday unveiled a series of changes to its executive committee and a new organizational structure, which is designed to deliver its strategy and generate growth amid a challenging market.
As part of the management overhaul, David Prager, executive vice president and chief brand officer, and Ryan Perry, acting executive vice president of strategy and innovation, will leave De Beers in 2024.
At the same time, Tom Johnson has been named general counsel at De Beers Group, overseeing the company’s legal and company secretariat functions.
The London-based company said both Prager and Perry will continue to serve on the executive committee while overseeing the transition of their responsibilities to other members.
Prager, who joined De Beers in 2016 to lead the company transition, will also continue to serve as chairman of the Natural Diamond Council until a successor is found.
Al Cook, chief executive officer at De Beers Group since February, thanked Prager’s “outstanding contribution to the company.”
“He transformed our brand and marketing strategy; managed complex issues in a way that built trust with stakeholders and strengthened our reputation around the world, and he designed a sustainability framework that has protected the natural world, improved people’s lives, and deepened our clients’ connection to our diamonds,” Cook added.
As for Perry, who has been with De Beers for more than two decades, Cook said he has “contributed outstandingly” across the group, bringing different parties to work together, leading change programs during the global pandemic, leading strategy development and leading the creation of the Diamonds for Development Fund in Botswana.
With regard to Johnson’s appointment, Cook said he is “the right person to shape a streamlined focus to our corporate structure, while maintaining our proud position as an ethical leader of the diamond industry.”
Johnson joined the group in 2016 as part of Element Six. In his current role as head of legal and company secretary, he has led the management of legal issues and negotiations in Botswana and across the group’s portfolio.
Together with 12 other executive committee members, which include Sandrine Conseiller, CEO of De Beers Brands since Dec. 1, Johnson is part of a new organizational structure under Cook.
“This team combines members with deep experience of De Beers with new leaders who bring fresh perspectives,” Cook said of the senior leadership team.
