MajorsDec 04, 2023
David Bouffard to Leave Signet, RJCSourcingDec 04, 2023
David Prager To Leave De Beers in 2024
Ryan Perry, who has been with De Beers since 2002, also will be leaving the company next year.
On Monday, De Beers announced the pending departure of two longtime executives, Ryan Perry, left, and David Prager.
London—After nearly two decades with De Beers Group, David Prager will leave the company next year, De Beers announced Monday.
Prager, currently executive vice president and chief brand officer, joined De Beers in September 2006 as director of communications.
Over the course of 17 years, he worked his way up, serving as global head of corporate affairs and then executive vice president of corporate affairs before being promoted to his current role in November 2020.
De Beers CEO Al Cook credited Prager with leading the transformation of the company’s purpose and its brand.
“Throughout his time at De Beers, David’s insight, creativity, and leadership have propelled us forward. He transformed our brand and marketing strategy; managed complex issues in a way that built trust with stakeholders and strengthened our reputation around the world; and he designed a sustainability framework that has protected the natural world, improved people’s lives and deepened our clients’ connection to our diamonds,” Cook said.
“While I will be very sorry to lose David, I know that his values and ability to build common ground will stay with De Beers for years to come. I would like to personally thank him for his outstanding contribution to the company.”
Prager will continue to serve on the company’s executive committee until March 2024 and will remain chairman of the Natural Diamond Council until the NDC’s board elects a successor.
De Beers did not give a reason for his departure, and Prager did not indicate where he will be headed next in a post shared Monday on LinkedIn, writing only, “Thank you De Beers! 17 years has been a terrific run and we’ve done wonderful things for our diamond clients and diamond communities.
“I’m looking forward to continuing to support my Exco colleagues through to March next year and rooting on their success … forever.”
Related stories will be right here …
Prager, currently executive vice president and chief brand officer, joined De Beers in September 2006 as director of communications.
Over the course of 17 years, he worked his way up, serving as global head of corporate affairs and then executive vice president of corporate affairs before being promoted to his current role in November 2020.
De Beers CEO Al Cook credited Prager with leading the transformation of the company’s purpose and its brand.
“Throughout his time at De Beers, David’s insight, creativity, and leadership have propelled us forward. He transformed our brand and marketing strategy; managed complex issues in a way that built trust with stakeholders and strengthened our reputation around the world; and he designed a sustainability framework that has protected the natural world, improved people’s lives and deepened our clients’ connection to our diamonds,” Cook said.
“While I will be very sorry to lose David, I know that his values and ability to build common ground will stay with De Beers for years to come. I would like to personally thank him for his outstanding contribution to the company.”
Prager will continue to serve on the company’s executive committee until March 2024 and will remain chairman of the Natural Diamond Council until the NDC’s board elects a successor.
De Beers did not give a reason for his departure, and Prager did not indicate where he will be headed next in a post shared Monday on LinkedIn, writing only, “Thank you De Beers! 17 years has been a terrific run and we’ve done wonderful things for our diamond clients and diamond communities.
“I’m looking forward to continuing to support my Exco colleagues through to March next year and rooting on their success … forever.”
De Beers announced the departure of another longtime executive on Monday.
Ryan Perry, who has been with the company since 2002, also will leave De Beers in 2024.
In his 21 years with De Beers, Perry has worked in a number of operational and strategic leadership roles. His current title is acting executive vice president of Strategy & Innovation.
“From tackling technical mining challenges to predicting the future of diamond demand, Ryan has contributed outstandingly across the De Beers Group,” Cook said.
“He has always been effective in bringing different parties to work together successfully, leading change programs during the global pandemic, leading strategy development and leading the creation of the Diamonds for Development Fund in Botswana.”
The Diamonds for Development Fund was established as part of the new sales agreement between De Beers and the Botswana government to help the country diversify its economy and create jobs outside the diamond industry.
Like Prager, Perry will remain on the executive committee during the transition.
Also on Monday, De Beers announced the appointment of Tom Johnson, current head of legal and company secretary, as general counsel.
As part of his new role, Johnson joins the executive committee.
Johnson is based in the United Kingdom and first joined De Beers in 2016 as part of Element Six.
During his time with De Beers, Cook said Johnson has demonstrated an “unparalleled understanding” of the complexities that come with being a 135-year-old company with a global footprint, and of the opportunities to simplify the company.
He also led the management of legal issues and negotiations in Botswana as De Beers was working out the new sales agreement there.
“I am confident Tom is the right person to shape a streamlined focus to our corporate structure, while maintaining our proud position as an ethical leader of the diamond industry. I look forward to welcoming him to the executive committee,” Cook said.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
SourcingFeb 20, 2025
GJEPC Names New Chairman, Vice ChairmanKirit Bhansali, a partner in Smital Gems and chairman of India Jewellery Park, will take on the role of chairman.
IndependentsFeb 20, 2025
IJO Elects 4 New Board MembersAlisha Cornett, Nic Faini, Eric Stevens, and Seth Shipley have joined the organization’s board of directors for a three-year term.
CrimeFeb 19, 2025
Brink’s to Pay $42M After Admitting to Illegally Transporting MoneyThe company has to pay the Justice Department and FinCEN for violating the Bank Secrecy Act, the U.S.’s main anti-money laundering law.
Brought to you by
Get Ready for the JA New York Spring ShowThis year will feature a new MJSA Showcase and partnership with Piazza Italia.
SourcingFeb 19, 2025
Diamond Mining Company CEO Steps Down Amid Sales Slump, LayoffsPetra Diamonds Ltd. CEO Richard Duffy resigned as the diamond miner reported a 30 percent drop in sales to start its fiscal year.
Weekly QuizFeb 13, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
ColumnistsFeb 19, 2025
The Smart Lab: Maximizing Your Jewelry Brand on PinterestPinterest is a potential gold mine for jewelry brands, Emmanuel Raheb writes, provided they follow these five tips.
MajorsFeb 19, 2025
Cartier Opens New Store Inside LAXThe boutique is the French luxury brand’s first airport store on the West Coast.
Brought to you by
3 Ways to Capitalize on America’s Newfound Love of Colored GemsColored stones are stepping into a jewelry spotlight typically reserved for diamonds—are you ready to sell color?
CollectionsFeb 19, 2025
Swarovski’s NYC Flagship Celebrates Ariana Grande CollabThe store’s facade now features the iconic swan logo and campaign images of the “Wicked” star.
Policies & IssuesFeb 18, 2025
New Customs Requirements for Diamond Imports: What We KnowBeginning in April, companies importing diamonds into the United States will have to list the country in which the diamonds were mined.
AuctionsFeb 18, 2025
A Menagerie of Fabergé Coming to Sotheby’sAround 30 whimsical Fabergé animal carvings will go up for auction at Sotheby’s Geneva in May.
SourcingFeb 18, 2025
Celine Assimon Stepping Down as CEO of De Beers JewellersAssimon will be leaving at the end of February after nearly five years with De Beers.
CollectionsFeb 18, 2025
Tabayer Debuts Its First Men’s Jewelry SelectionsDesigns from the brand’s “Oera” collection have been reimagined with modern masculinity in mind.
SourcingFeb 14, 2025
Navneet Gems Now Offering Unheated Montana SapphiresThe wholesale collection features material from the Rock Creek mine in a variety of colors.
CollectionsFeb 14, 2025
Carolyn Rafaelian Partners with ‘Long Island Medium’ StarThe “Divinely Guided” collection, created in collaboration with Theresa Caputo, features symbols that celebrate the power of connection.
CollectionsFeb 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Lorraine West’s Diamond ‘Open Heart’ RingShow some love on Valentine’s Day with this 14-karat yellow gold ring that features pavé diamonds.
CrimeFeb 13, 2025
Macy’s Employee Foils $1.5M Jewelry Theft The employee confronted the thief, causing the suspect to flee and leave behind the suitcases full of jewelry.
SourcingFeb 13, 2025
Namibian Diamond Co. Suspends CEO, COO After Deadly Heist Namib Desert Diamonds also put its security manager on leave following last month’s robbery that left one employee dead.
Events & AwardsFeb 13, 2025
AGTA Announces Buyer’s Choice Award Winners for Spectrum, Cutting EdgeAGTA recently concluded its 2025 GemFair event in Tucson and is already gearing up for next year’s show, set for Feb. 2-6, 2026.
CollectionsFeb 13, 2025
Royal Chain Releases Its Spring 2025 CatalogMore than 400 new pieces are featured in the supplier’s latest catalog.
TrendsFeb 13, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Hearts for Valentine’s DayThis curation celebrates love with heart-shaped jewelry of all shapes and sizes.
Policies & IssuesFeb 13, 2025
Jewelers Relief Fund Reopened to Aid Victims of LA Fires The fund is collecting money for jewelry businesses damaged by the wildfires in Los Angeles County.
TrendsFeb 12, 2025
5 Engagement Ring Trends Expected to Rule 2025From chunky bands to vintage diamond cuts and bezel settings, these are the trends experts are seeing take over the bridal market.
EditorsFeb 12, 2025
Q&A: Marion Fasel on the History of Diamond Engagement RingsFasel discusses researching her new book, the most enduring engagement ring styles, and the diamond shape Taylor Swift will pick.
CollectionsFeb 12, 2025
De Beers Jewellers’ New High Jewelry Pays Homage to the Beauty of TreesThe “Essence of Nature, Chapter One” collection echoes trees and roots, literally and figuratively, through three sets of high jewelry.
SourcingFeb 12, 2025
SRK Announces Notable Reduction in Greenhouse Gas EmissionsLate last year, the India-based diamond manufacturer recorded emissions per carat that are 34 percent lower than the industry average.
ColumnistsFeb 12, 2025
Peter Smith: 9 Store Manager Archetypes Smith details the types of store managers he’s encountered, with the goal of helping retailers find a person who’s a fit for their store.
