A podcast prompted Smith to share his views on where origin fits into the natural diamond story and the viability of branded diamonds.
Former DTC executive tapped for WFDB post
Louise Prior, who spent a total of 18 years with De Beers, is the new executive director of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses.

Antwerp--Louise Prior, who spent 18 years working for De Beers, has been hired as the new executive director of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses.
Her appointment will be effective Aug. 1.
The WFDB has had only one executive director in its history, Michael Vaughn, who was appointed in 2007 but later stepped down. The WFDB has been operating without an executive director since Vaughn’s departure.
Prior spent a total of 18 years working with De Beers in London, first as an account manager managing relationships with De Beers’ clients and their diamond brokers and then as head of communications and client services for the Diamond Trading Company (DTC).
She left the company at the end of 2012, choosing not to relocate to Botswana when De Beers moved its sales operations there in 2013.
“With the ever-increasing challenges faced at every stage of the diamond pipeline, I am excited about supporting the board in driving forward the WFDB’s initiatives and working closely with major industry players to ensure the continued success of the WFDB and its important work,” Prior said.
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