Lndon: Petra Diamonds has appointed Varda Shine, Senior Independent Director, as Chair of Petra with effect from the conclusion of its Annual General Meeting in mid-November. The previous Chairman Peter Hill CBE retired from the Board and decided not to offer himself for re-election.

Shine, who has been a Non-Executive Director of Petra since 2018, will serve as the interim Chair of the Company until a permanent successor is found. She will also become the Chair of the Nomination and Investment Committees, and remain as the Chair of the Remuneration Committee during this period. Bernard Pryor, another Non-Executive Director, will take over as the Senior Independent Director.

Varda Shine, Chair designate of Petra, said, “I would like to thank Peter for his service to Petra Diamonds as its Chair and look forward to working with my fellow Directors to ensure a smooth transition and continuation of Petra’s robust Governance framework until a permanent replacement is sought.”

Shine, who has a 30-year career in the diamond industry, is also a Non-Executive Director of Ecora Resources plc and Sarine Technologies Limited. She was previously the CEO of De Beers Trading Company, a mid-stream business with a turnover of approximately US$6 billion. She has received several accolades for her achievements in the diamond sector, including honorary lifetime membership of the Israel Diamond Exchange and the London Diamond Bourse, and induction into the Women’s Jewellery Association Hall of Fame. She is also an executive coach and expert adviser in the diamond industry.