Headed by Guy Leymarie since 2004, De Beers Diamond Jewellers – the joint-venture between De Beers and LVMH – will welcome a new president from the 1st of January 2010. Mr Leymarie will not be renewing his contract “to continue with other projects” and will be handing over to François Delage, declared the luxury group. LVMH and Mr Delage will be working together over the coming months “to ensure an optimal transition”.

Valley of Diamonds by De Beers

After having thanked Guy Leymarie for “his commitment and his leadership”, which has driven De Beers Diamonds Jewellers to become “a global actor”, the president of the Board of Directors of the joint-venture, Gareth Penny, affirmed his joy in entrusting the “next phase of development” to François Delage, “given his unique experience in the diamond and luxury distribution sectors.”

Former president of Louis Vuitton Asia Pacific, François Delage also led the subsidiary of De Beers, Forevermark, for two years.

By Jonathan Fulwell (Source: Julie Mangaud)