AWDC CEO Freddy J. Hanard Retiring

(IDEX Online News) - Freddy J. Hanard, CEO of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), will retire on December 31, after four years in the position. He will be succeeded by Deputy CEO Ari Epstein.

Hanard became the head of the Antwerp diamond sector’s umbrella organization in May 2006, at a time when the AWDC was the newly restructured public foundation, rising from the former HRD.

“Mr. Hanard was widely praised for his calm but decisive management of the Antwerp diamond sector following the onset of the global financial crisis in September 2008. As a former banker, his keen appreciation of financial prudence helped the sector weather the storm and move towards a quick recovery,” the organization said on the eve of his departure.

A key element of his term in office was Antwerp’s eastward expansion, during which Hanard chose not only to create a presence in the growing Asian markets but also to become actively involved. He also reinforced relations with the major diamond producers.

Hanard also initiated Project 2020, a strategic program that aims to lead the center’s diamond sector into the next decade.

“Freddy has left his indelible mark on AWDC, the men and women who work for it, and on the Antwerp diamond community. We are all better for it, and we owe him a debt of gratitude,” said AWDC President Nishit Parikh.