LONDON, 7th December – In a move signaling a new chapter for the global jewellery and watch industry, the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) has officially announced the appointment of two new Co-Chairs to its prestigious Standards Committee: Sara Yood, President & CEO of the Jewellers Vigilance Committee (JVC), and Eduard Stefanescu, Sustainability Manager of C.HAFNER GmbH + Co. KG.
This strategic leadership transition, effective 1 January 2026, marks a pivotal moment for the RJC. As the industry grapples with intensifying regulatory pressures, heightened consumer demand for transparency, and the complex realities of global supply-chain ethics, the committee’s mandate has never been more vital. By blending deep regulatory legal expertise with technical, ground-level sustainability experience, the RJC is positioning its standards to remain the definitive benchmark for responsible business conduct worldwide.
The Strategic Importance of the Standards Committee
The RJC’s Standards Committee acts as the architectural engine of the organisation. It is the body responsible for maintaining the robustness and credibility of the RJC’s suite of standards, including the Codes of Practice, the Chain of Custody, and the evolving protocols for Laboratory Grown Materials.
In an era defined by “ESG—Environmental, Social, and Governance—literacy,” the jewellery sector faces unprecedented scrutiny. From the extraction of precious metals and stones in high-risk jurisdictions to the final retail sale, every link in the chain is under the microscope. The committee’s work ensures that these standards do not merely sit on a shelf as theoretical guidelines, but function as actionable, auditable, and internationally recognized frameworks that align with global expectations.
Meet the New Co-Chairs: A Dual Perspective
The appointment of Yood and Stefanescu represents a balanced approach to governance: one rooted in the legal and compliance-heavy environment of North America, and the other in the industrial, circular-economy-focused landscape of Europe.
Sara Yood: Bridging Compliance and Integrity
As the President & CEO of the Jewellers Vigilance Committee (JVC), Sara Yood brings an unparalleled understanding of the legal landscape. Her career has been dedicated to demystifying complex regulations and ensuring that industry players act with integrity.
“As I step into the co-chair role, in which I serve in my personal capacity, I am looking forward to continuing the complicated but rewarding work of updating and maintaining the various RJC standards,” Yood remarked upon her appointment. She highlighted the often-overlooked rigor of the drafting process: “Not everyone would be excited to review and revise such a dense text, but I find the process invigorating. We know that the nuance of the text is vitally important to the businesses that rely on it, but many may not fully grasp just how many hands it passes through before approval.”
Eduard Stefanescu: Technical Stewardship and Circularity
Representing the industrial side of the equation, Eduard Stefanescu brings the perspective of a geoscientist and a sustainability leader at C.HAFNER GmbH + Co. KG. His expertise is deeply embedded in the refining and recycling sectors, which are fundamental to the “circular jewellery economy.”
Stefanescu’s vision for the committee is one of collaboration: “My goal is to help RJC remain the frontrunner in developing standards and guidance that embed sustainability, ESG principles, transparency, and responsible supply chains—while encouraging collaboration and constructive dialogue across the industry.” He noted that the committee’s strength lies in its diversity, bringing together stakeholders who might otherwise operate in silos.
A New Era of Multi-Stakeholder Representation
The transition is not limited to the Co-Chairs. The RJC has unveiled a refreshed committee roster that reads like a “who’s who” of industry expertise, balanced by critical voices from the civil society and consumer sectors. This composition is essential for maintaining the multi-stakeholder integrity required by the ISEAL Code of Compliance.
Industry Powerhouses
The new members include high-level strategists from the world’s leading jewellery and mining houses:
- Ben Ronca (Leach Garner): Focused on the intersection of financial strategy and metal procurement.
- Donald Bray (Fura Gems): An expert in biodiversity and carbon reduction.
- Melanie Mater (De Beers): A leader in human rights due diligence and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) compliance.
- Valerie Michel (Rosy Blue): A champion for women’s empowerment and ethical sourcing.
- Wafa Jaffery (DMCC): A veteran of the Dubai diamond ecosystem and Kimberley Process advocate.
- Alethea Inns (Gemological Science International): Bringing essential technical knowledge in gemological education.
- Raluca Angel (Natural Diamond Council): A specialist in EU policy and global advocacy.
The Voice of the Public Interest
Recognizing that industry self-regulation is only as good as its transparency, the committee has integrated independent experts:
- Antonino Serra Cambaceres (Consumer Representative): An Argentine legal expert with decades of experience in public policy.
- Chris Vandome (Chatham House): A Senior Research Fellow specializing in African extractives governance.
- Abbi Buxton (Human Rights & Gender): A specialist in artisanal mining and community integration.
Chronology: The Road to the 2026 Mandate
- December 2024: Official announcement of the new leadership and committee members.
- 16–18 December 2024: The Standards Committee convenes in London for a critical transition and handover session.
- 2025: A year of "Shadow Leadership," where incoming members work alongside outgoing experts to ensure a seamless transfer of knowledge.
- 1 January 2026: The formal start of the new committee’s mandate, marking the implementation of updated strategic priorities.
Official Response: A Vision for Credibility
John Hall, Interim Executive Director of the RJC, emphasized that this reshuffle is not merely administrative; it is a strategic necessity. “We are delighted to welcome Sara and Eduard as Co-Chairs, along with our new committee members whose expertise spans the entire jewellery and mining ecosystem,” Hall stated. “Their collective leadership will help ensure RJC’s standards remain credible, inclusive, and aligned with global expectations on human rights, environmental responsibility, and supply-chain integrity.”
The RJC also took a moment to honor the outgoing members, including former Co-Chair Purvi Shah (De Beers), Robin Kolvenbach (Argor-Heraeus SA), and Ainsley Butler (Building Markets), acknowledging their instrumental roles in navigating the industry through significant post-pandemic challenges.
Implications for the Industry
The implications of this leadership change are significant for the 2,000+ member companies operating in 74 countries.
- Regulatory Harmonization: With leaders like Sara Yood, the RJC is signaling a tighter alignment with evolving U.S. and EU legislation. Companies can expect more rigorous guidance on due diligence, particularly regarding conflict-affected and high-risk areas.
- Sustainability as a Business Imperative: The inclusion of experts like Eduard Stefanescu and Donald Bray indicates that "sustainability" is shifting from a marketing narrative to a technical, auditable standard focused on carbon footprints, circularity, and biodiversity.
- Increased Scrutiny on "The Human Element": By bringing in experts like Abbi Buxton, the committee is positioning itself to tackle the difficult issues of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) and community rights, moving beyond the traditional focus on diamond-focused supply chains to encompass the full breadth of colored gemstones and precious metals.
Conclusion
As the jewellery industry faces a future where consumers demand total provenance and radical transparency, the Responsible Jewellery Council has fortified its position at the helm of industry governance. The appointment of the new Standards Committee is a testament to the RJC’s commitment to "continuous improvement."
By inviting critical external voices into the room, the RJC is ensuring that its standards are not just tools for compliance, but catalysts for genuine, systemic change. As the industry looks toward 2026, the message is clear: the path to growth lies in responsibility, and the standards governing that path are now in more capable, expert, and diverse hands than ever before.
About the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC)
The RJC is the foremost international body for standard-setting in the jewellery and watch supply chain. From mine to retail, its 2,000+ members are committed to the RJC Code of Practices, which has been independently evaluated against the ISEAL Codes of Good Practice. For further inquiries, contact the Communications Team at [email protected].
