In an email, Loet Kniphorst, global head of ABN AMRO’s diamond and jewellery division, announced his retirement to the global industry. The note quoted him saying, “The last 5 years of my career in Belgium, close to our home base, have been special: joining the diamond community has been a privilege and an honour. I made my decision to retire more than a year ago and the current hectic events both in the global financial markets as well as with ABN AMRO have made me doubt whether my timing is right. However, I strongly feel the need for a change and my recently acquired house in the Provence lures, while at the same time I am confident that our International Diamond and Jewellery Group will remain a leader in the diamond sector and ABN AMRO will find a new lease on life”. %% He noted that the bank has not made any official replacement so far. Also, Kniphorst will now be associated with the bank as advisor to ID&JG. %% Kniphorst,has been associated with the bank for over 34 years through its operations in South America, the Middle East, Europe, Far East and Africa. During his tenure he was head of the bank’s diamond and jewellery unit for five years.