Anglo CEO: Sightholders Play A Critical Role in the Success of De Beers

Proud of the contribution my family has been able to make to the most exciting industry in the world - Oppenheimer

(IDEX Online News) – Getting the 2012 sales year off the ground with a fizz, the DTC held its annual Chairman’s Cocktail Reception for Sightholders at Kensington Palace. A new participant at the gathering was Anglo American CEO Cynthia Carroll who spoke of Anglo American’s commitment to diamonds, De Beers and Sightholders.

“As the world’s leading diamantaires, Sightholders play a critical role in the success of De Beers and the development of the diamond market," Carroll said ahead of Anglo's near doubling of its stake in De Beers.

"I firmly believe that the unique strengths of De Beers and its Sightholders, combined with the scale and resources of the Anglo American Group, can bring even greater future success. We are committed to our partnership with Sightholders and to working together to make that future an exciting reality.”

She also used the opportunity to pay tribute to the Oppenheimer family’s long association with De Beers and diamonds. “The contribution the Oppenheimer family has made will always remain at the heart of De Beers, just as it will remain at the heart of Anglo American, which was itself founded by Nicky’s grandfather, Sir Ernest Oppenheimer. Anglo American and De Beers have a shared history and shared values.”

In her address, DTC CEO Varda Shine commended the DTC’s Sightholders for their hard work and commitment during 2011, which she called a successful year for the diamond industry. “I was heartened to see Sightholders perform strongly despite the challenges we all faced,” she said.

“Sightholders are the leaders of the diamond industry. With this comes privilege, but also the responsibility to lead the way by ensuring we are ‘up to diamonds’ in everything we do. Together, Sightholders, producer partners and the DTC create a formidable team; one that is more than capable of fulfilling the promise of the ‘Diamond Decade,’” she continued.

“As new generations come of age, carrying new cultural and life experiences and expectations, we must work to ensure they discover a product with deep meaning, value and integrity,” said Mellier in his remarks. “From exploration and mining to manufacturing, marketing and retail, this must be a joined up effort to deliver on one of the world's strongest consumer propositions.”

Oppenheimer, speaking at what is likely to be his last Chairman’s Cocktail Reception expressed his gratitude for the tributes to the role of his family in the diamond industry, saying, “I cannot disguise that this is a moving occasion for me personally, but I am proud of the contribution my family has been able to make to what I believe is the most exciting industry in the world.”