Dave Meleski, president and CEO of Richline Group, has been elected chairman of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC). 

He succeeds David Bouffard, Signet fellow of Industry Affairs at Signet Jewelers, who stepped down from the role after two three-year terms.

Bouffard announced in November last year that he was relinquishing his RJC role before April 30, 2024 when he officially leaves Signet.

Meleski and Edward Asscher, honorary chairman of Asscher Diamonds, both ran for the position of RJC chairman, with elections taking place from February 5 to 29. 

Melanie Grant, RJC executive director, now reports directly to Meleski. Asscher remains as the council’s vice chairman.

Meleski said, “It is a critical time for the RJC to continue to grow and lead the global supply chain in setting standards for our industry. Richline has been involved at Board and committee level since the beginning of the RJC, and as a global manufacturing company with retail customers around the world, we have helped promote the importance of RJC as our singular voice for compliance standards since its inception.”

RJC was launched in 2005 with 14 founding members, including Richline and Signet. It now has over 1,800 members across 71 countries.