London, UK – May 27, 2026 – The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), the world’s leading standards-setting organisation for the jewellery and watch industry, has officially ushered in a new era of governance. Following the conclusion of its 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM), the organisation announced a robust slate of newly elected Officers and Board representatives. These appointments represent a strategic pivot toward deepening the council’s influence across the global supply chain, reinforcing its mandate to promote ethical, social, and environmental responsibility from mine to retail.
The transition marks the culmination of a rigorous 12-week independent election cycle, designed to ensure transparency, inclusivity, and democratic participation among the council’s diverse global membership.
The Core Mandate: Strengthening Global Standards
At its heart, the RJC acts as the industry’s conscience. As consumer expectations for sustainability, traceability, and human rights transparency reach an all-time high, the role of the Board of Directors has never been more critical. The new leadership team is tasked with navigating an increasingly complex regulatory landscape, including the European Union’s supply chain due diligence directives and shifting global consumer demographics.
The newly elected body brings together a high-calibre group of industry veterans and forward-thinking leaders, representing the full spectrum of the jewellery ecosystem—from diamond mining giants and precious metal refiners to luxury retail houses and service-based gemological institutes.
Chronology of the 2026 Election Process
The transition of power was not an overnight occurrence. The RJC structured the 2026 election as a multi-phased democratic process, ensuring that the final Board composition was truly representative of its global footprint.
- Phase 1: Nomination Window (Early Q1 2026): Members were invited to submit nominations for open positions across all sector-specific forums. The RJC’s independent nominations committee vetted candidates to ensure compliance with the council’s competency requirements and ethical standards.
- Phase 2: The Campaign Period (March – April 2026): Candidates engaged with the membership base, outlining their vision for the RJC’s future. This period facilitated a healthy discourse on issues ranging from climate impact reporting to the digitalisation of supply chains.
- Phase 3: The Independent Ballot: An external auditing firm oversaw the voting process to maintain absolute integrity and confidentiality, allowing members to cast their votes across the various categories.
- Phase 4: The 2026 AGM (May 27, 2026): The formal announcement of the results took place in London, marking the official transition of responsibilities.
The 2026 Leadership Slate: A Who’s Who of Industry Stalwarts
The diversity of the new appointments underscores the RJC’s commitment to a holistic approach to industry governance.
Newly Appointed Officers
- Vice-Chair: Edward Asscher (Royal Asscher Diamond Company) – A figurehead in the diamond trade, Asscher brings decades of legacy-driven leadership.
- Honorary Secretary: Udi Sheintal (World Diamond Council) – His involvement ensures that the RJC remains aligned with global efforts to maintain integrity in the diamond pipeline.
- Honorary Treasurer: Arnav Akshay Mehta (M/s. Blue Star Diamonds Pvt. Ltd) – Tasked with overseeing the financial health and fiscal sustainability of the council’s expansive operations.
The Board of Directors
The Board represents a strategic cross-section of the industry:
- Mining: Emma Wade-Smith (De Beers Group)
- Traders, Cutters, & Polishers: Victoria Wirth Reynolds (Tiffany & Co.) and Ravi Bhansali (Rosy Blue NV)
- Precious Metals (Refining/Hedging): Dr. Robin Kolvenbach (Argor-Heraeus SA)
- Manufacturing & Wholesale: Arien Gessner (Richline Group)
- Retail: Anouchka Didier-Mansour (Cartier)
- Service Industry: Kareena Shahani (International Gemological Institute, India)
- Trade Association: Bernadette Pinet Cuoq (UFBJOP)
Official Responses and Strategic Vision
The sentiment from the RJC leadership remains one of continuity, combined with an urgent drive for modernization.
The Perspective of the Executive Director
Purvi Shah, Executive Director of the RJC, emphasized the importance of the AGM as a catalyst for growth. "The Annual General Meeting is an important moment for member participation and governance within RJC," Shah noted. "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."
The Perspective of the Chair
Dave Meleski, Chair of the Responsible Jewellery Council, underscored the importance of the democratic process in securing the RJC’s long-term influence. "Strong governance and member engagement remain central to RJC’s work and long-term ambition," Meleski stated. "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 pay tribute to the outgoing board members. "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."
Industry Implications: Why This Matters
The appointment of this specific board is not merely an administrative shuffle; it signals a shift in the priorities of the jewellery sector for the next two to three years.
1. Enhanced Supply Chain Traceability
With the inclusion of leaders from companies like Tiffany & Co. and De Beers, the Board is positioned to push for more rigorous, tech-enabled traceability. As the industry moves toward "digital product passports," the RJC will likely play a more active role in standardising how data is shared across borders.
2. Regulatory Alignment
The presence of representatives from major trade associations like the UFBJOP indicates that the RJC will be working closely with regional regulatory bodies. This is crucial for members who must navigate the fragmented, and often conflicting, environmental and human rights legislation currently being drafted in the EU, the US, and Asia.
3. Strengthening the Service Sector
By elevating the role of service-based organisations like the IGI, the RJC is acknowledging that the "responsible jewellery" movement is no longer just about the physical extraction of materials. It is increasingly about the validation, grading, and certification of those materials through transparent, unbiased service providers.
Supporting Data: The Scale of RJC’s Influence
The RJC currently manages a vast network of thousands of members, ranging from small artisanal workshops to global conglomerates. The success of its 2026 election cycle is a testament to the high level of engagement among its membership.
- Global Reach: The board composition includes representatives from India, Belgium, Switzerland, France, and the UK, reflecting the truly global nature of the jewellery trade.
- Sector Representation: By balancing the board between upstream miners and downstream retailers, the RJC ensures that its standards are practical for every stakeholder.
- Commitment to Continuity: The transition from outgoing members to incoming ones is designed to be seamless, with hand-over periods established to ensure that ongoing projects—such as the update to the Code of Practices—remain on schedule.
Conclusion: A Future-Forward Outlook
As the newly appointed representatives begin their tenure, they face a landscape marked by rapid technological change and heightened social consciousness. The jewellery and watch industry is at a crossroads, where the demand for luxury must be balanced against the imperative of environmental stewardship.
The 2026 Board of the Responsible Jewellery Council enters this role with a clear mandate: to protect the integrity of the industry while fostering an environment where ethical practice is the baseline, not the exception. By building upon the solid foundation laid by their predecessors, this new leadership team is set to ensure that the RJC remains the definitive global authority for years to come.
As the industry watches, the focus will now shift to the first board meeting of the new term, where the strategic priorities for the remainder of 2026 and beyond will be formally set in motion. The message from London is clear: the industry is ready to evolve, and the RJC is leading the way.
