De Beers Group has confirmed that Feriel Zerouki, its Chief Trade and Industry Officer and a member of the Executive Committee, will step down at the end of October 2025 after 20 years with the company.
Zerouki joined De Beers in 2005 and rose through roles spanning ethical initiatives, international relations, corporate affairs and, most recently, trade and industry leadership—helping define the company’s approach to integrity, provenance and supply-chain accountability.
Across the industry, she is widely credited with spearheading two major De Beers programmes: Tracr, the blockchain-enabled traceability platform, and GemFair, which supports responsible sourcing with artisanal and small-scale miners.
Zerouki will continue to serve as President of the World Diamond Council (WDC)—which represents the trade in the Kimberley Process—through May 2026, maintaining her focus on mining-origin transparency and conflict-diamond safeguards.
De Beers CEO Al Cook praised her legacy and industry impact in the company’s announcement, noting her role in advancing standards of integrity and provenance across the global diamond sector.
As the industry absorbs the leadership change, a De Beers spokesperson indicated to trade media that Zerouki’s responsibilities will be redistributed internally rather than filled via a direct replacement.
The Canadian Jeweller team, together with the Time & Shine Jewellery Trade Show, wishes Feriel Zerouki every success as she embarks on her next chapter.
