Ari Epstein has begun his tenure as CEO of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) following the retirement of Freddy J. Hanard.

Epstein, a lawyer who specialized in corporate law and international taxation before he became in involved in the diamond sector, joined the AWDC in 2005. He originally served as Director of the Diamond Office and then moved to the post of AWDC Deputy CEO.

Epstein said he saw the role of AWDC as "maintaining and enhancing our leadership status in the next decade and beyond."

"Antwerp has led the world diamond industry for generations," Epstein said, adding that the AWDC must represent the industry as a "major contributor to the Belgian economy."



"I hope to bring a… dynamic approach to the task of growing the diamond trade in Antwerp," he concluded.