Peter Meeus (pictured), a veteran leader of several diamond industry organizations, has been named chairman of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses’ (WFDB) World Diamond Mark (WDM) program.
Meeus served as president of the Dubai Diamond Exchange from 2009 to 2017. Before that he served for seven years as managing director of the Belgian industry umbrella group Hoge Raad voor Diamant (HRD), now known as Antwerp World Diamond Centre.
Meeus replaces Alex Popov, who served as CEO and chairman of the World Diamond Mark since its inception and is now involved with a lab-grown diamond brand.
The World Diamond Mark was created by the WFDB in 2012, as a way to increase trust for participating diamond dealers and shops and promote the diamond industry generally.
Meeus stepped down as head of the Dubai Diamond Exchange last year. He also recently has been working with the Central African Republic as a special adviser to the president and ministry of mines, to help insure insure that country’s compliance with the dictates of the Kimberley Process certification scheme.
“The work of the WDM is critically important in spreading awareness of diamond jewelry and in helping to boost diamond sales globally and have a positive effect on the entire diamond pipeline,” said Ernest Blom, president of the WFDB, in a statement. “The WDM aims to engage all diamond industry stakeholders and invites them to take part in WDM’s many programs.”
“The World Diamond Mark aims to build trust in the jewelry shop and, as a result, support demand for diamonds,” said Meeus in a statement. “Through education and digital marketing, the WDM will provide retailers with the tools to showcase their integrity and create a consumer confidence program that will strengthen public trust in diamonds.”
The World Federation of Diamond Bourses represents 30 trading clubs throughout the world.
(Image via: Twitter)
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