Al Cook assumes De Beers top post
De Beers, the diamond mining stalwart has announced to the market that current Chief Executive Officer, Bruce Cleaver will be succeeded by Al Cook from early next year.
In a statement, the part owners of Debswana said Cleaver will become Co-Chairman of De Beers Group, alongside De Beers Group Chairman and Anglo-American Chief Executive, Duncan Wanblad. Cleaver has been at the hot seat of De Beers for more than six years. “During his tenure, the Group has launched the world’s largest and most sophisticated diamond recovery and exploration vessels; redesigned supply agreements with Sightholders to enhance the efficiency of rough diamond distribution; integrated the organisation’s downstream businesses; created Tracr, the world’s only distributed diamond blockchain that starts at the source; launched the Lightbox Jewelry laboratory-grown diamond business; and established and embedded the Building Forever sustainability framework across the Group, including setting 12 ambitious sustainability goals for 2030,” said De Beers, which owns Debswana with Botswana government.
Wanbald has spoken highly of Cleaver. “Bruce has led De Beers with distinction, evolving the company’s strategic vision to ensure that consumers’ desires for diamond jewellery is at the very heart of decision making across the diamond pipeline, while leading a safety transformation to ensure employee safety and wellbeing are recognised as the first priority and a shared responsibility. He has successfully steered De Beers through a period of considerable change over the last six years, including leading the way through technology to provide consumers with absolute assurance of the ethical provenance of their diamonds,” said Wanbald.
Commenting on Al’s appointment, Duncan said: “I congratulate Al Cook on his appointment as CEO of De Beers Group. Al brings more than 25 years of international leadership experience, gained predominantly at BP and Equinor, most recently leading Equinor’s multi-billion dollar global E&P business across Africa, the Americas and Europe. He previously led Equinor’s global strategy and business development, developing the company’s net zero strategy.” Reflecting on his time as De Beers Group CEO, Bruce Cleaver stated: “It has been a tremendous privilege for me to lead such an iconic company as De Beers with its rich history, great people and culture, and truly unique product offering. I would like to pay tribute to all those who have supported me along the way – including all my De Beers Group and Anglo American colleagues, the representatives of our partner governments, the De Beers Sightholder community and countless others within and outside the diamond trade. I am proud of all that we have achieved together during this period, despite the major challenges we have faced along the way. I believe the diamond industry in general, and De Beers Group in particular, have a hugely exciting future ahead and I look forward to working closely with Al and the leadership team to ensure we continue to take the business and the industry to new heights.”
For his part, Al Cook, on his appointment as CEO of De Beers Group, said: “I am honoured to have the opportunity to lead the company behind the world’s leading diamond brand – De Beers. I look forward to working closely with De Beers’ people, customers, governments, and other stakeholders to ensure that De Beers continues to lead the industry and deliver sustainable and purposedriven value. Throughout my career, I have been passionate about bringing enduring economic, social, and environmental value to host countries and communities. I deeply recognise the importance of De Beers’ approach to responsible mining – most notably in Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. It is our responsibility to work with the industry on continuing to fulfil the true promise of diamonds.”