The World Diamond Council (WDC) can play a critical role in pushing forward the goals of the Kimberley Process (KP) by leveraging the council’s multi-sectoral capacities and expertise, according to new WDC President Feriel Zerouki.

Zerouki formally assumed office on May 15, 2023, replacing Edward Asscher who headed the council for two non-consecutive terms. She was WDC vice president for three years and is a known advocate for enhancing standards and driving progress within the diamond sector, according to the council. 

“We all – participants and observers – have a vested interest in the success of the KP and the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, and in ensuring that they are provided the scope and the means to protect the diamond distribution chain moving forward,” Zerouki said. “The current KP Review and Reform cycle, in which WDC is deeply involved, is of critical importance, for it addresses directly what needs to be done to position the KP effectively in a much-changed and fast-evolving landscape.”

WDC’s board also named Ronnie VanderLinden as vice president and Anoop Mehta as treasurer and re-appointed Udi Sheintal as secretary. WDC bylaws stipulate that VanderLinden will become the council’s president once Zerouki’s term ends.

Born in the United Arab Emirates and from Algerian descent, Zerouki joined the diamond industry in 2005 as a supply chain analyst at De Beers’ Diamond Trading Company.

She has been tasked to oversee various aspects of De Beers’ business over the years – as best practices principles manager in 2009 where she built a set of ethical standards for the group and other stakeholders; head of international relations in 2014 where she helped initiate De Beers’ traceability arm, Tracr, and GemFair, an initiative supporting artisanal miners; and more recently, as senior vice president of corporate affairs. 

She also serves as officer on the Responsible Jewellery Council’s board of directors and a member of the board of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee.

Zerouki will lead the WDC delegation at the 2023 Kimberley Process Intersessional meeting scheduled to begin on May 21, 2023 in Zimbabwe.