Gareth Penny, former Group CEO of De Beers and a senior executive across the financial services, mining, metals and natural resources sectors, will be the featured speaker at the opening of CIBJO’s Centenary Congress on 4th September 2026.

Penny currently serves as Chairman of Ninety-One Plc. and Ninety-One Ltd., which has more than $247 billion in assets under management. He is also Chairman of EnQuest Plc, a UK-listed integrated energy company focused on the responsible management and decommissioning of mature oil and gas assets.

He previously chaired MMC Norilsk Nickel, a major producer of nickel and palladium, and served as a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee of Julius Baer Group, the Swiss wealth management group.

Penny is particularly recognised for his 22-year career in the global diamond industry, including senior leadership positions at Anglo American and De Beers. He served as Group CEO of De Beers for five years.

During his tenure, Penny played a central role in advancing responsible sourcing initiatives through the Kimberley Process. He also introduced the Supplier of Choice strategy, which shifted the industry from a supply-driven to a demand-led model, and spearheaded the creation of Forevermark, De Beers’ proprietary consumer diamond brand, launched in 2008.

Before entering the business world, Penny was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University.

The 2026 CIBJO Congress will be held from September 4 to 7 in Vicenza, Italy. Designated the Centenary Congress, the event will mark 100 years since CIBJO was established in 1926.

The Congress will take place at Fiera di Vicenza alongside the VICENZAORO jewellery show. It will be hosted by the Italian Exhibition Group, organiser of the VICENZAORO shows held each January and September.