Francois Delage has been appointed CEO of De Beers Diamond Jewelers, a joint retail venture between De Beers and luxury brand LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton. The joint venture operates 40 stores worldwide. Delage headed the development and launch of De Beers' branded diamond, Forevermark.

Delage will replace Guy Leymarie, who announced that he will step down when his contract expires in January 2010. Leymarie and Delage will reportedly working together over the next few months to ensure a seamless transition.

Gareth Penny, Chairman of De Beers Diamond Jewelers, stated: "We are pleased to have someone of Francois' unique diamond and luxury retail experience in place to take De Beers Diamond Jewelers into its next phase of development.”

De Beers Diamond Jewelers recently stated that it had no intentions to open any additional U.S. stores in 2009.

Delage was CEO of Forevermark in September 2007 when De Beers' diamond brand was launched in China and Hong Kong. It is to be launched in Japan later this month.