DTC hosts annual Chairman’s Cocktail Reception

Being an occasion to begin its 2012 sales year, the Diamond Trading Company (DTC) annual Chairman’s Cocktail Reception at Kensington Palace held this week, also paid tribute to the Oppenheimer Family, and reaffirmed Anglo American’s commitment to the partnership between De Beers and Sightholders.

This event hosted exclusively for DTC Sightholders by Nicky Oppenheimer, Chairman of De Beers Group, and Varda Shine, CEO of the DTC, was attended by Cynthia Carroll, Chief Executive of Anglo American and Philippe Mellier, CEO of the De Beers Group.

Ms Carroll said: “The contribution the Oppenheimer family has made will always remain at the heart of De Beers, just as it will remain at the heart of Anglo American, which was itself founded by Nicky’s Grandfather, Sir Ernest Oppenheimer. Anglo American and De Beers have a shared history and shared values.” Ms Carroll further commented that Anglo’s relationship with Sightholders was “at the heart of De Beers’ commitment to partnership.”

With this Chairman’s Cocktail Reception likely to be Mr Oppenheimer’s last, Ms Shine described the evening as “a poignant and emotional moment for the diamond industry”. Commending Sightholders for their hard work and commitment during 2011, Ms Shine said: “This was undoubtedly a successful year for the diamond industry and I was heartened to see Sightholders perform strongly despite the challenges we all faced”. She further urged Sightholders to “lead the way by ensuring we are ‘up to diamonds’ in everything we do”. Mr Mellier thanked the DTC and its Sightholders for their continuing commitment to the success of the diamond industry.

Mr Oppenheimer expressed his gratitude for the tributes to the role of the Oppenheimer family in the diamond industry: “I cannot disguise that this is a moving occasion for me personally, but I am proud of the contribution my family has been able to make to what I believe is the most exciting industry in the world. I know that, with the support of Anglo American and the commitment of Philippe Mellier, De Beers, our Sightholders and our producer partners have a rich and rewarding future ahead of them.”