Changes have been announced at De Beers Group, with Al Cook taking over the CEO role and Bruce Cleaver, who has been at the helm for six years, becoming co-chair, alongside CEO of Anglo American, Duncan Wanblad. (Anglo American plc owns an 85% share of the diamond mining and trading company.)
Cook joins from Equinor ASA, a Norway-based global energy company, where he is EVP of exploration and production international. Previously, he led global strategy and business development at the company, as it created a net zero strategy and reshaped its portfolio for the energy transition. Cook joined Equinor after a 20-year career at BP.
Commenting on Al Cook’s appointment, Wanblad said: “Al brings more than 25 years of international leadership experience, gained predominantly at BP and Equinor, most recently leading Equinor’s multibillion dollar global E&P business across Africa, the Americas and Europe.
“I believe Al’s multidisciplinary strategic skillset and strong personal conviction and values are ideally suited to the nature of De Beers, a global business that spans much of the spectrum from exploration and mining to Bond Street and Madison Avenue.”
About Cleaver, Wanblad said: “Bruce has successfully expanded De Beers’ horizons for the longer term and reinforced the company’s unquestioned leadership position, exemplified by De Beers’ ‘Building Forever’ sustainability framework to ensure an enduring positive diamond legacy. I look forward to his contribution as co-chairman, ensuring the greatest continuity for the business and our partners and stakeholders.”