The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) announced yesterday that Andrew Bone has joined its Management Team as Executive Director (ED). The appointment is part of RJC’s ongoing management restructuring process.

Bone, is no stranger to the gems and jewellery industry, has  served 38 years with De Beers working in the global diamond industry. He has also been a part of several industry initiatives  -  including the Kimberley Process, the DDI and the WDC – and has contributed  to their success.

Bone, the RJC said with reference to his appointment as ED, “brings a wealth of industry experience and expertise in the diamond and mining sectors to this role”. 

At RJC, Bone “will work closely with the Board of Directors and the Management Team to further entrench the RJC’s value proposition to the jewellery supply chain, mine to retail”.  

RJC has over 640 members, with just over 400 being certified by the Council and a growing number are seeking chain of custody (COC) certification for their metals businesses, RJC added.

“I am delighted to join the RJC and consider myself fortunate to be surrounded by a skilled and energetic team, and supported by a dedicated and diligent board of directors,” said Bone on assuming his new role. “Although there are many challenges ahead, there are many more opportunities. As the membership continues to increase, there is a growing realisation and belief that, through certification, the RJC offers its members a unique and robust set of independently audited standards that promote the jewellery industry’s continued determination to protect and promote consumer confidence.”

COO Catherine Sproule will work with Andy to provide valuable continuity to the RJC’s global structure, the Council said. 

 Further, RJC announced that as James Courage’s extended term as Chair of the RJC Board of Directors concludes on June 30th, Vice-chair Charles Chaussepied would  take over as Interim Chair as of Wednesday 1 July 2015 until a new Chairperson is elected later this year.

 Pic Cap: Andrew Bone with the RJC Team in London

(Left to Right: Gerhard Humphreys-de Meyer, Communications; Chinelo Etiaba, Member Relations; Andrew Bone, Executive Director; Peter Dawkins, Membership and Certification; Catherine Sproule, Chief Operations Officer. Front row: Maria Mursell, Training and Assurance; Kim Jackson, Office Administration. Not pictured: Kinjal Shah, Country Head in India.)