• Edward Asscher is Vice Chair, Board of Directors
• Chanel Director of Development and Sourcing Marianne Zani joins Board
Responsible Jewellery Council appoints new Vice Chair, new board member
- Edward Asscher is Vice Chair, Board of Directors
- Chanel Watches & Fine Jewelry CSR and Exceptional Supplies Director Marianne Zani joins Board
LONDON, 1st November, 2022 – The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), the leading standards organisation of the global jewellery and watch industry, announced today that its board of directors had appointed Edward Asscher as its Vice Chairman, and appointed Marianne Zani to its board. Each received unanimous approval by the board at its meeting in London 6 October, the first in-person board meeting since the global pandemic began.
A member of one of the diamond industry’s, and Amsterdam’s, well-known families, Edward Asscher was elected President of the World Diamond Council (WDC) in June 2020. This is his second term as WDC President, having led the organization from 2014 to 2016.
His career experience includes owning and leading Royal Asscher Diamond Company, which he has passed on to his children. Additionally, he was Vice President of the European Council of Diamond Manufacturers and is a past President of the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) and the International Diamond Council (IDC), a diamond standards-setting organization affiliated with IDMA and the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB).
“It is an honour to have been elected as Vice Chair of RJC. I trust that my long experience serving the industry will contribute to meeting its goals and those of its members. In particular, I am committed to RJC’s inclusivity,” Asscher said. “As president of the World Diamond Council, I am well aware of the challenges involved in representing all participants in our industry. RJC’s standards, sustainability goals and the furthering of diversity will contribute to all, both larger and smaller companies.”
With more than 20 years of experience in jewellery and watchmaking brands, Marianne Zani is the CSR and Exceptional Supplies Director of Chanel Watches & Fine Jewellery (WFJ). She joined Chanel in 2017 as Sourcing and Development Director, and currently leads the CSR vision, strategy and operations for Chanel WFJ.
Before joining Chanel, she held various positions at Cartier and developed a strong and comprehensive expertise in product, jewellery industry, client expectation and savoir-faire preservation. She is sits on the Board of Directors of the Union Française de la Bijouterie, Joaillerie, Orfèvrerie, des Pierres & des Perles.
“I am deeply honored to be appointed as a member of the board, and I am grateful for the trust that the board has placed in me. I look forward to using my competencies and knowledge to support RJC’s ambitions, and help shape RJC’s future,” Zani said. “Considering the multiple challenges we face as an industry, I know that sustainability is an absolute necessity we need to pursue and continuously address to achieve CSR objectives. RJC is a central player with a solid leadership experience in our industry, and I am delighted to be associated with its Board of Directors.”
“Both of these appointments represent significant additions to the strength of deeply experienced board we have in place,” said Board Chair David Bouffard. “Edward brings a distinguished and comprehensive career in the jewellery industry to our executive leadership on the board, and Marianne brings a tremendous set of experiences and insights from one of the world’s leading luxury brands. Our board has never been stronger, more committed and dynamic.”
For more information:
Olivia Saunders-Smith
Marketing & Communications Team
Responsible Jewellery Council
communications@responsiblejewellery.com
+44 207 321 0992 ext. 206
ABOUT RESPONSIBLE JEWELLERY COUNCIL
Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) is the leading standards organisation of the global jewellery and watch industry. It has over 1,600 member companies in 71 countries, that span the jewellery supply chain from mine to retail. RJC Members commit to and are independently audited against the RJC Code of Practices – an international standard on responsible business practices for diamonds, coloured gemstones, silver, gold and platinum group metals.
RJC is ISEAL Code Compliant. Our system has been independently evaluated against ISEAL’s Codes of Good Practice – a globally recognised framework for effective, credible sustainability systems. More information at isealalliance.org. is also a member of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) since 2009.
For more information on RJC Members, Certification, and Standards please visit www.responsiblejewellery.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook
