Former Dominion Diamond Executive VP Joins True North Gems Board

(IDEX Online News) – True North Gems has appointed former Dominion Diamond Corp. (DDC) executive vice president Raymond Simpson to its board of directors. Simpson, who is currently managing director of Diamond Asset Advisors, a Swiss-based alternative investment advisor specializing in diamond related investment and financial products, has more than 20 years of experience in the diamond industry.

He joined DDC – which was then a junior diamond mining company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange – in 2003 to oversee its strategic expansion into retailing.

He started his career with De Beers where, over a 14-year period, he held a variety of roles ranging from mine resource evaluation to supply/demand forecasting and consumer marketing. In 2000, as head of Business Development for the De Beers in London, he was instrumental in establishing a retail joint venture between De Beers and LVMH Moet Hennessey.

“The business acumen and experience that Mr Simpson will bring to the company dovetails perfectly with the growth of True North Gems,” said president and CEO Nicholas Houghton. “Having the opportunity to utilize his diverse knowledge as we go forward will be beneficial to all.”