Dubai Diamond Exchange Strengthens Board with Three New Leadership Appointments
The Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE), a part of DMCC, has announced the appointment of Neil Ventura, Weizhang Liang, and Wafa Jaffery to its Board of Directors, further enhancing its expertise in global diamond trade, governance, and responsible sourcing practices.
Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DMCC, will continue to lead the board as Chairman. The new additions are expected to support Dubai’s continued growth as a key international centre for the diamond and precious stones industry.
Neil Ventura has been appointed Member and Secretary of the DDE Board. With more than three decades of experience spanning mining, diamond trading, jewellery, and technology, Ventura has held senior positions at De Beers and Anglo American and currently serves as Special Advisor to DMCC’s Precious Stones Ecosystem.
Joining the board is Weizhang Liang, former President of the Guangzhou Diamond Exchange and China’s Kimberley Process focal point for over 15 years. He brings deep knowledge of international diamond regulations and the Chinese diamond market and also served as an advisor during the UAE’s Kimberley Process Chairmanship in 2025.
Wafa Jaffery, a veteran member of DMCC’s Precious Stones team, also joins the board. In 2026, she was elected to the Board of Directors of the World Diamond Council and currently contributes to both the Kimberley Process Task Force and the Responsible Jewellery Council Standards Committee.
Commenting on the appointments, Ahmed Bin Sulayem said they would further strengthen the exchange’s capacity to drive industry growth and innovation.
He noted that the success of the Dubai Diamond Exchange is rooted in the extensive expertise within DMCC’s precious stones ecosystem, adding that the appointments highlight the strong leadership developed by DMCC over the years while reinforcing Dubai’s standing as a global hub for the diamond and precious stones trade.
The DDE is recognised as the world’s largest diamond tender facility and serves as a major trading platform for rough and polished diamonds, coloured gemstones, and pearls. Operating under DMCC, the exchange provides world-class infrastructure and trading services that connect miners, manufacturers, traders, financiers, and retailers across the international diamond supply chain.