Rory More O’Ferrall recently retired as De Beers’ director of external affairs, after 36 years with the company.

O’Ferrall followed what used to be the traditional path to the De Beers executive suite. After serving as a captain in the British Army, he joined what was then called the Central Selling Organisation and spent five years in De Beers’ outside buying offices in West Africa. He later joined De Beers’ corporate communications department and was eventually appointed director of external affairs. He chaired De Beers’ conflict diamonds committee and was instrumental in creating the World Diamond Council and the Kimberley Process.

Nicky Oppenheimer, De Beers chairman, said: “Rory has been an outstanding ambassador for De Beers and the diamond industry in the international arena, especially in the Kimberley Process. I think it is this particular achievement for which De Beers and the entire diamond industry owe Rory our greatest gratitude.”