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Press Release: The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) held its annual general meeting (AGM) in Paris at the Union Française de la Bijouterie, Joaillerie, Orfèvrerie, des Pierres & des Perles (BJOP). All resolutions proposed at the AGM were passed, the directors' report and the financial statements were accepted, Matt Runci was reelected as RJC’s chairman until December 2012, Chikashi Miyamoto of Rosy Blue was elected as RJC’s vice chairman and Mark Jenkins of Signet Jewelers was reelected as RJC’s secretary. James Suzman, of De Beers Group, retains the office of honorary treasurer. Additionally, Charles Bonas, Bonas & Co; Philippe Leopold-Metzger, Piaget; Ruth Batson, American Gem Society; Jeffrey Brenner, Jaybee Trading Inc. t/a !Xam Diamonds; Scott Morrison, Metalor; and Yedwa Simelane, AngloGold Ashanti (Australia) were appointed to the board of directors to represent their respective specialty. Those areas of expertice were Diamond Trading; Cutting and Polishing; Retail; Trade Associations; Manufacturers; Gold, platinum metals traders, refiners and/or hedgers, and Producers. The AGM was followed by a chain of custody update on the implementation for gold and platinum group metals by Charles Chaussepied, Piaget, co-chair of RJC Standards Committee, and Dr. Fiona Solomon, director of standards development at RJC. A report on further consultations with the diamond sector was provided by Derek Palmer, co-chair of diamond chain of custody sub-committee. Following the chain of custody update, a leadership forum took place on the importance and future of responsible business practices, led by Bernadette Pinet-Cuoq, deputy president, UFBJOP with participants Yedwa Simelane, senior vice president of corporate affairs at AngloGold Ashanti; Alan Grieve, director of corporate affairs at Compagnie Financière Richemont SA; Pilar Cabo Coin, marketing director at Roberto Coin, and Stella Layton, chief executive of Cookson Precious Metals. The RJC also acknowledged Runci, who will retire from the role of founding RJC chairman in December 2012. In recognition of Runci’s outstanding leadership in the formation, development and current success of the RJC, as well as his overall service to the jewelry industry, RJC has invited its members to donate funds to the Diamond Development Initiative International (DDI). Runci serves as secretary and as a member of the board of DDI. “All RJC members are encouraged to help further the important work of DDI International in recognition of Matt’s pivotal contribution to the jewelry industry,” said Michael Rae, RJC’s chief executive. “I profoundly thank all those members who participated in the AGM process, either through their attendance in Paris or by lodging proxies. As a democratic institution ultimately governed by its members, member participation in the Council's AGM is vital. The RJC is very grateful also to the Union Française BJOP for their great support in generously hosting the RJC AGM this year,” concluded Rae.
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