Feriel Zerouki to Leave De Beers After 20 Years

By Rob Bates | October 09, 2025

Feriel Zerouki, De Beers’ chief trade and industry officer and a staunch advocate for the natural diamond industry, is leaving De Beers at the end of October, after two decades with the company.

Zerouki currently serves as president of the World Diamond Council, which represents the industry in front of the Kimberley Process. She will remain in that role until May 2026. She’s also a member of the executive committees of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee and the Responsible Jewellery Council.

De Beers spokesperson David Johnson tells JCK that “Feriel’s responsibilities are being redistributed elsewhere in De Beers, so we don’t anticipate a direct replacement.”

Zerouki’s husband, Mahiar Borhanjoo, remains De Beers’ chief commercial officer, a post he has held since last year.

Zerouki joined De Beers in 2005 as a business and supply chain analyst and soon became involved with the company’s responsible business initiatives and its international relations department. She was named chief trade and industry officer in May.

During her time at De Beers, Zerouki oversaw the development of Tracr, De Beers’ diamond-tracking platform, as well as GemFair, its program to help artisanal miners in Sierra Leone.

Ronnie VanderLinden, vice president of the World Diamond Council, tells JCK that Zerouki is “one of the most capable and intelligent people in our industry, and she will absolutely succeed at whatever she chooses to do after De Beers.”

In a statement, De Beers CEO Al Cook said she “has played a pivotal role in establishing and upholding the highest standards of integrity and provenance within De Beers and across the global diamond industry. Her strategic insight and leadership have contributed meaningfully to initiatives that will leave a lasting impact on the sector. We thank her for her contributions and wish her continued success as she embarks on the next chapter of her career.”

Zerouki said in the same statement that “being part of De Beers has been an extraordinary journey. I am immensely proud of what we have built together, and deeply grateful for the people and partnerships that have defined these 20 years. I leave with pride in our shared achievements and with excitement for what lies ahead.”

Zerouki and Borhanjoo appeared on JCK‘s Jewelry District podcast in April 2023.

(Photo courtesy of De Beers)