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Lab-Grown Co. Altr Appoints De Beers Vet as CFO
Richard J. Whitby worked with De Beers for more than a decade, including six years as CFO of the DTC.
Newly appointed Altr Chief Financial Officer Richard J. Whitby is an industry veteran with experience in global marketing, supply chain, and sales and distribution management.
New York—Lab-grown diamond company Altr Created Diamonds announced Friday it has appointed Richard J. Whitby its chief financial officer.
Prior to joining Altr, Whitby worked with De Beers for more than a decade, including six years as the CFO of the Diamond Trading Company (DTC).
Whitby has a background in global marketing, supply chain, and sales and distribution operations, leading teams in the United States, Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
“Lab-grown diamonds are a major innovation that is breathing new life into the diamond industry, and I look forward to applying my expertise to the future of this field at this exciting time,” Whitby said in a press release.
Whitby, who lives in Dubai, has a Bachelor of Science degree with honors in biology from the University of Nottingham, and is qualified as a chartered accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
Altr said the addition of an experienced industry veteran to its team is “emblematic of the ongoing disruption in the diamond industry as consumer interest continues to grow for lab-grown gems.”
The New York-based brand introduced its new collection at JCK Las Vegas this summer, featuring a patented hearts and arrows cut.
Altr is sold through hundreds of jewelers in the U.S., both under its brand name and as private-label lab-grown diamonds and diamond jewelry, as well as in more than 50 stores in New Zealand and Australia.
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