The Diamond Producers Association (DPA) has appointed marketing specialist David Kellie as its new CEO effective December 2019, following the resignation of Jean-Marc Lieberherr, the group announced recently. 

According to DPA, Kellie is an experienced marketer with a successful track record at various consumer brands, including 14 years at Ralph Lauren where he held many positions, including corporate senior vice president, Global Marketing & Advertising. 

He was most recently with Watches of Switzerland, an experience that provided him with valuable insights into diamond category marketing.

Lieberherr commented, “The DPA now has strong teams and foundations in place to capture the opportunities that lie ahead, and it is time for a new leader to take the organisation through its next phase of development.” Lieberherr has filled key leadership positions at the DPA since its inception in December 2015, initially as its first chairman, then as CEO.

Kellie, for his part, cited opportunities to boost diamond demand as buyers continue to gravitate towards product authenticity and meaning. “A growing number of women are buying for themselves, there are already high levels of acquisition from younger consumers, and the number of middle-class households around the world is growing rapidly, so there is a very bright future ahead of us,” he continued.