Last checked at 29 Apr 2021 07:00
29 April 2021
GEM DIAMONDS LIMITED
("Gem Diamonds" or the "Company")
Johnny Velloza steps off Gem Diamonds' Board and assumes key consulting oversight role and Rosalind Kainyah MBE joins the Board as an Independent Non-Executive Director
Gem Diamonds (LSE: GEMD) announces that in order to meet UK corporate governance independence expectations, the Company announces that one of its non-executive directors, Johnny Velloza (previously deputy CEO) will be stepping down from the Board with effect from 1 May 2021 and will be assuming an important technical consulting role in the Company.
The Board is grateful to Johnny for the invaluable service he has given to the Company over 5 years both as COO and then deputy CEO and lately as a non-executive director. We are therefore delighted that Johnny has agreed to continue to work with the Company as a technical advisory consultant where his knowledge and experience will continue to be applied to all operational aspects of the business.
Following an extensive search process, the Company announces that Rosalind Kainyah MBE will be joining the Board as an independent non-executive director from 1 May 2021.
Ms Kainyah is the founder and Managing Director of Kina Advisory Limited, a trusted advisor to Boards and Senior Executives of global companies on Sustainability and responsible business investment and partnerships in emerging markets. She trained as a lawyer and is a member of the Bar of England and Wales and of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. Rosalind has almost 30 years of combined international, senior management, executive and board level experience. She has worked with companies and organisations including Linklaters, Anglo American Corporation of South Africa, De Beers, Tullow Oil plc, the United Nations Environment Programme and ERM, and on projects across Africa, in the UK, Europe, North & South America, Asia, and the South Pacific. As a result, she has a wide network and is respected across a range of stakeholders from governments and corporates through civil society organisations and media for her professional expertise and as a woman of integrity and credibility.
Harry Kenyon-Slaney, Chairman of Gem Diamonds, commented
"On behalf of the Board I would like to thank Johnny for his significant contribution and commitment to Gem Diamonds over the last 5 years. The Company has benefitted from his business acumen, his deep technical expertise and his wide international experience and we are pleased that he will remain involved. We are delighted to welcome Rosalind Kainyah to the Board of Gem Diamonds and are confident that her independence, experience, notably within the diamond industry, and skills will be a strong asset to the Board."
Ms Kainyah is currently a Non-Executive Director of CAL Bank Limited, Ghana; Board member of Results for Development (R4D); Vice Chairperson of the Africa Gifted Foundation; and Founding President of the Ghana chapter of International Women's Forum.
No other information in connection with Ms R Kainyah's appointment is required to be disclosed pursuant to LR 9.6.13R.
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014.
The Gem Diamonds Limited LEI number is 213800RC2PGGMZQG8L67.
For further information:
Gem Diamonds
Susan Wallace, Company Secretarial department
ir@gemdiamonds.com
Celicourt Communications
Mark Antelme / Ollie Mills
Tel: +44 (0)20 84342643
About Gem Diamonds:
Gem Diamonds is a leading global diamond producer of high value diamonds. The Company owns 70% of the Letšeng mine in Lesotho. The Letšeng mine is famous for the production of large, top colour, exceptional white diamonds, making it the highest dollar per carat kimberlite diamond mine in the world. www.gemdiamonds.com