Cleaver Takes Reins at De Beers as Mellier Steps Down

(IDEX Online News) – The De Beers Group announced that Bruce Cleaver will assume the role of CEO, following Philippe Mellier’s decision to step down after five years with the company.

Cleaver served as De Beers’ executive director responsible for strategy and commercial relationships until 2015, also serving as co-acting CEO for a year prior to Mellier’s appointment. In 2015, he was appointed Anglo American group director of strategy and business development.

Anglo American chief executive and chairman of De Beers Mark Cutifani said Cleaver and Mellier had worked together over much of the last decade and that Cleaver’s appointment would provide strong continuity at an important time in the recovery of the diamond market.

“We congratulate Bruce on his appointment as CEO,” said Botswana’s minister of minerals, energy and water resources Onkokame Kitso Mokaila. “…he has a deep understanding of the sector and the important role diamonds play in socio-economic development, making him uniquely qualified to lead De Beers. We look forward to working with him in the next phase of the company’s exciting future.”

Cleaver said that diamonds continue to be relevant in today’s world and noted they have made positive contributions to a host of countries. He added that it was his task to maintain the relevance of diamonds and grow De Beers’ position in the luxury world.

Mellier noted that he had always planned to move on after five years as CEO. He added that having helped steer the company through some of the diamond industry’s most challenging times, he felt it was time to step aside and let the next generation take over.

Cutifani and Mokaila had warm words of praise for Mellier, saying that he had made a significant contribution to both De Beers and Botswana, and led the diamond miner’s strategic changes with skill.