LONDON, UK – The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), the leading standard-setting organisation for the global jewellery and watch supply chain, has officially announced the results of its 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM). The announcement marks a pivotal transition in the organisation’s leadership, as a newly elected slate of Officers and Board members steps into roles tasked with navigating the complex challenges of sustainability, ethical sourcing, and transparency in an evolving global market.
The appointments, confirmed on 27th May 2026, follow a rigorous, 12-week independent election process. By empowering its diverse membership to nominate and elect their own representatives, the RJC has reinforced its commitment to democratic governance and multi-stakeholder accountability.
The Strategic Shift: A New Executive Landscape
The 2026 AGM serves as more than a routine administrative milestone; it represents a strategic realignment for the RJC. As the jewellery industry faces increasing pressure from consumers, regulators, and NGOs to demonstrate radical transparency, the composition of the Board has been carefully curated to include voices from every segment of the supply chain—from mining and refining to retail and trade associations.
The New Officer Slate
The incoming officers bring decades of combined experience across the diamond, precious metal, and corporate governance sectors:
- Vice-Chair: Edward Asscher (Royal Asscher Diamond Company) – A titan in the diamond industry, Asscher’s appointment is seen as a move to stabilize and elevate the council’s influence in the diamond sector.
- Honorary Secretary: Udi Sheintal (World Diamond Council) – Sheintal’s background with the WDC positions him as a crucial link between the RJC and international regulatory frameworks.
- Honorary Treasurer: Arnav Akshay Mehta (M/s. Blue Star Diamonds Pvt. Ltd) – Tasked with fiscal oversight, Mehta’s expertise is expected to ensure the RJC’s financial health as it expands its certification programs.
The Board of Directors: A Global Mosaic
The newly appointed Board members reflect the geographical and operational diversity of the RJC membership:
- Mining & Resources: Emma Wade-Smith (De Beers Group)
- Traders, Cutters, and Polishers: Victoria Wirth Reynolds (Tiffany & Co.) and Ravi Bhansali (Rosy Blue NV)
- Refining & Metals: Dr. Robin Kolvenbach (Argor-Heraeus SA)
- Manufacturing & Wholesale: Arien Gessner (Richline Group)
- Retail: Anouchka Didier-Mansour (Cartier)
- Service & Trade: Kareena Shahani (IGI India) and Bernadette Pinet Cuoq (UFBJOP)
Chronology of the 2026 Election Process
To ensure transparency and integrity, the RJC implemented a 12-week electoral cycle leading up to the May 27th announcement. This period was characterized by extensive dialogue between the organization’s executive leadership and its global member base.
- Phase One: Nominations (March 2026): Members were invited to submit candidates for open seats. The process required candidates to demonstrate their commitment to the RJC’s Code of Practices and their capacity to represent their specific sector effectively.
- Phase Two: Vetting and Advocacy (April 2026): Independent auditors oversaw the verification of candidates, ensuring that all nominees met the stringent ethical and professional criteria required to serve on the Board.
- Phase Three: Voting (May 2026): Utilizing a secure digital platform, RJC members cast their ballots, ensuring that the final selection was a true reflection of the diverse interests within the jewellery and watch industry.
- Phase Four: The AGM (27th May 2026): The formal ratification of the new board took place in London, where the results were presented to the assembly, marking the official commencement of the new representatives’ terms.
Supporting Data: Why Governance Matters
The RJC’s focus on governance is not merely symbolic; it is a response to the increasing regulatory burden on the jewellery sector. According to data provided by the RJC in the lead-up to the AGM, the number of certified members has grown by 15% year-over-year, indicating a rising demand for standardized ethical reporting.
The newly elected Board oversees a certification framework that currently impacts thousands of businesses worldwide. By maintaining a board that represents the entirety of the supply chain, the RJC ensures that its "Code of Practices"—the benchmark for ethical, social, and environmental performance—remains both practical for small enterprises and rigorous enough for global luxury conglomerates.
Official Responses and Vision for the Future
The leadership transition has been met with optimism by both the outgoing and incoming representatives.
Purvi Shah, Executive Director of the Responsible Jewellery Council, underscored the importance of member participation during the AGM. "The Annual General Meeting is an important moment for member participation and governance within RJC," Shah stated. "It provides our community with the opportunity to shape the organisation’s future direction with purpose. We are pleased to welcome our newly elected representatives and look forward to working with them as we continue advancing responsible business practices, collaboration, and positive impact across the jewellery and watch industry."
Dave Meleski, Chair of the Responsible Jewellery Council, echoed this sentiment while emphasizing the continuity of the organization’s mission. "Strong governance and member engagement remain central to RJC’s work and long-term ambition," Meleski remarked. "These appointments reflect the voice of our membership and bring valuable expertise and perspectives to the RJC as we continue supporting the responsible growth and evolution of our industry."
Meleski also took a moment to express gratitude toward those who have stepped down. "On behalf of the organisation and our membership, I would like to express our sincere thanks to our outgoing representatives for their dedication, insight, and contribution during their terms of service. Their leadership has helped strengthen RJC’s work and support our continued evolution as a global standards organisation."
Implications: The Path Forward
The appointment of this new Board has significant implications for the future of the jewellery sector. As the industry moves toward 2030, several key themes are expected to dominate the RJC’s agenda under this new leadership:
1. Enhanced Traceability
With the introduction of new technologies like blockchain and advanced chemical fingerprinting, the Board is expected to push for more granular traceability requirements within the RJC standards. The inclusion of leaders from major refiners and diamond houses suggests a focus on tracking materials from "mine to finger."
2. Regulatory Alignment
With the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and similar legislation emerging globally, the RJC must act as a bridge for its members. The presence of board members from trade associations like UFBJOP will be critical in ensuring that RJC standards continue to satisfy international legal requirements, thereby saving members from "certification fatigue."
3. Sustainability Beyond Carbon
While carbon footprint reduction remains a priority, the new Board is anticipated to place greater emphasis on the "S" (Social) in ESG. This includes human rights due diligence, artisan mining support, and gender equality within the supply chain. The diversity of the new Board, which includes leaders from both global giants like Cartier and specialized service providers like IGI, suggests a broader approach to these social issues.
4. Strengthening the "Global Standard"
As the premier voice for the industry, the RJC faces competition from various localized sustainability initiatives. The new Board’s mandate is clear: to keep the RJC as the definitive global authority. By fostering a culture of collaboration rather than competition, the incoming representatives are tasked with harmonizing disparate standards across different jurisdictions.
Conclusion
The 2026 Annual General Meeting of the Responsible Jewellery Council marks a decisive step toward a more transparent and ethically conscious future for the jewellery and watch industry. By refreshing its leadership, the RJC has signaled that it is ready to address the complexities of a changing world.
As the newly appointed Officers and Board members assume their roles, the global jewellery community will be watching closely. Their challenge is significant: to balance the commercial realities of a multi-billion-dollar industry with the uncompromising demands of ethical stewardship. However, given the professional caliber of the individuals elected, there is a strong sense of confidence that the RJC is well-equipped to guide the industry through the next chapter of its evolution.
The transition process, while complete, is only the beginning of a larger journey toward ensuring that every piece of jewellery sold globally carries the mark of responsibility and trust that the RJC emblem represents. With the new Board now in place, the organization remains steadfast in its mission to protect the integrity of the industry for generations to come.
