28
February 2025
GEM
DIAMONDS LIMITED
("Gem Diamonds" or the "Company")
Directorate Change
The Board of Gem Diamonds is pleased
to announce the appointment of Janet Blas as an independent
Non-Executive Director.
Current Senior Independent
Non-Executive Director, Michael Lynch-Bell will be retiring from
the Board following his 9-year tenure and in line with UK Corporate
Governance principles. Janet will join the Board with effect from 1
April 2025, following Michael's retirement on 31 March 2025. Janet
will be proposed for election as a Non-Executive Director at the
Company's Annual General Meeting on 4 June 2025.
Janet will be appointed as Audit
Committee Chair and a member of the Remuneration
Committee.
The Board also announces that it has
appointed Rosalind Kainyah, Non-Executive Director as the Senior
Independent Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee with
effect from 1 April 2025.
Harry Kenyon-Slaney, Chair of Gem
Diamonds, said:
"On
behalf of the whole Board, I would like to express my sincere
thanks to Michael for the significant contribution, insights and
experience he has brought to his role as a Board Committee member,
Chair of the Audit and Remuneration Committees and Senior
Independent Director. Michael has been with us since 2015 and his
financial experience in the resources sector has been very valuable
to the Company. We wish Michael well in his
retirement.
I
am delighted to welcome Janet Blas onto the Board. Janet has
a wealth of finance and resource sector experience, and we look
forward to the wisdom and insight that she will bring to our
discussions."
Biographical details - Janet Blas
Janet is an accomplished professional
with extensive experience in the gemstone and mining industries.
She holds a Certified Public Accountant qualification, complemented
by a BSc in Accountancy. Janet began her career with PwC, building
a solid technical foundation in financial management and audit
practices. She has established herself as an effective Audit &
Risk Committee Chair, demonstrating a deep understanding of
governance practices in both listed and privately held mining
companies.
Currently, Janet holds Non-Executive
board roles with Sedibelo Resources and Cornish Lithium, alongside
her executive position as Chief Financial Officer and Director of
Bacanora Lithium. All these companies are privately held. Her
previous tenure as Chief Financial Officer at Gemfields Group has
provided her with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities
and strategic demands of the precious minerals sector. Janet also
held a number of senior positions with ENRC Plc (August 2007 to
July 2013), including a key role in ENRC's initial public offering
on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange when the company
joined the FTSE 100 index. Previously, Janet was part of the Audit
and Assurance Services Team at Ernst & Young LLP in London and
PWC in the Philippines (2002 to 2007).
Janet is recognized for her strong
board governance experience, consistently implementing effective
financial oversight structures. Her career has predominantly
focused on the mining industry, where she has developed in-depth
sector expertise across various commodities and established a
proven track record leading teams across multiple jurisdictions.
Additionally, she has been actively involved in integrating ESG
principles into operations, emphasizing ethical mining practices,
transparency, and community engagement.
The Company confirms that there is no
further information required to be disclosed pursuant to LR 6.4.8R
of the UK Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority in
connection with Janet's appointment.
FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Gem Diamonds
Limited
Kiki Constantopoulos, Company
Secretary
ir@gemdiamonds.com
Celicourt Communications
Mark Antelme / Felicity
Winkles
Tel: +44 (0) 207 777 6424
The Gem Diamonds Limited LEI number
is 213800RC2PGGMZQG8L67.
ABOUT GEM DIAMONDS:
Gem Diamonds is a leading global
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, exceptional white diamonds, making it the
highest dollar per carat kimberlite diamond mine in
the world.
