Jacky Roth Elected President Freddy Hanard New MD of DHC

The newly elected Board of Directors of the {{Diamond High Council}} (DHC) met for the first time and immediately took a number of important decisions. {{Jacky Roth}} was elected as President and {{Kaushik Mehta}} and {{Stéphane Fischler}} were elected Vice-Presidents. Freddy Hanard was also named new Managing Director of the DHC, Antwerp. %% The Board also decided to take all the necessary steps to ensure the continued modernisation of the DHC. One of the implications of this will be that all commercial activities will be split up and marketing and communication policies will be co-ordinated. The principal objective of this will be to expand Antwerp's position as the World Diamond Capital. It is with this objective in mind that Freddy Hanard, as new managing director, will start up an extensive and thorough study of the sector as a priority. The results of this first assignment will enable him to work out a detailed strategy.

“Freddy Hanard has a two-fold advantage. On the one hand he knows the diamond sector inside out and was already a member of the previous Board of Directors. The other advantage is that as a leading banker, he was an outsider to meet the description of a privileged, objective observer,” added {{Philip Claes}}, spokesman, DHC.%% “The diamond sector, which is represented in all its facets in Antwerp, is one of the most exciting trading sectors one can imagine. This branch is, of course like so many others, constantly subject to new challenges, new developments and new trends. I see my greatest challenge as leading the Antwerp diamond sector and in particular the DHC, into the third millennium,” stated Hanard.

The fact that the DHC is serious about the necessary modernisation is borne out by the successful completion of the first phase, which has involved the election of the new Board of Directors. “Antwerp has been the centre of the world diamond trade for centuries. I am convinced that the city will not only maintain this position in the future, but will also expand it. In this challenge I know that I am surrounded by a team of competent colleagues and staff that have made an unfailing contribution during the recent turbulent months and who have continued at all times to assume their responsibilities. This gives me great backing to take up the assignment entrusted to me today by the Board of Directors. At the beginning of 2007 a new DHC will see the light of day, one that will be dedicated totally to the next stage of the expansion of the diamond sector,” Hanard added.