Lev Polyakov, the incumbent president of the Moscow Diamond Bourse, is stepping down from his position as president of the exchange, citing his wish to reduce his workload for personal reasons.

MDB board member Alex Popov will fulfill the role of executive vice president and chief executive officer. He takes over the helm of the exchange, until a new board is elected. He will continue to hold the portfolio of international relations at the bourse.
Polyakov, who before becoming president was the managing director of the diamond exchange, managed the process by which the Moscow Diamond Bourse eventually was accepted as the 26th member of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses at the 32nd World Diamond Congress in Tel Aviv in June 2006. 

He was said to be instrumental in raising awareness in Russia for a genuine, functioning diamond exchange to fulfill the needs of Russia’s jewelry industry and trade, both within government circles and among the private sector.

“We’re sorry to see Lev go, as he has been the locomotive that powered our new diamond bourse,” said Popov. “We wish him all the best in his future endeavors. I can promise him and my fellow board members that I will do all we can to continue the development and expansion of our bourse and the services we offer to the local jewelry industry and trade. He can be assured that the momentum he helped create will not be lost.”

JCK