De Beers Shakes Up Executive Committee

De Beers Group has reshuffled its powerful executive committee, promoting and saying goodbye to some mostly behind-the-scenes employees.

Chief operating officer Burger Greeff (left) will retire after three decades of service with De Beers. He began at the company in 1993, as senior research officer at De Beers Consolidated Mines, its South African division. He was named chief operating officer in June.

Kevin Smith, the current executive vice president of corporate affairs and strategy, has been appointed interim COO. Smith joined De Beers in 1996 and has been instrumental in developing its Origins program.

Kevin Smith

Eirik Waerness, currently senior vice president and chief economist, will become acting executive vice president of corporate affairs and strategy. In this role, Waerness will oversee global communications, government relations, strategy and business development, and global market and price analysis.

Eirik Waerness

Smith’s and Waerness’ appointments are effective Dec. 1. Both of them will join De Beers’ executive committee.

(Photos courtesy of De Beers Group)