Brands
HRD Antwerp taps Paul De Wachter as ceo
Mumbai: HRD Antwerp has named Paul De Wachter as its new ceo, handing the reins to a diamond industry veteran at a moment of rapid change for the global gems trade.
Appointed by the board of directors of HRD Antwerp, a subsidiary of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre, De Wachter takes charge from January 5. His brief is clear: sharpen HRD’s role as a trusted certifier and steer the organisation through shifting consumer tastes, tighter scrutiny and the rise of lab-grown diamonds.
De Wachter brings more than two decades of experience across banking and diamonds. He began his career in 2002, rising to senior relationship manager at Antwerp Diamond Bank, before a stint at Channel Capital Advisors. He later joined the National Bank of Fujairah, where he spent over seven years, first as head of the Antwerp representative office and, from 2020, as head of the diamond unit—expanding the bank’s footprint and strengthening its standing in the sector.
“With his international experience, strong network and proven results, Paul is the right leader to take HRD Antwerp into the future,” said Bart De Hantsetters on behalf of the board.
For De Wachter, the timing is as challenging as it is opportune. “The diamond industry is at an inflection point,” he said, citing evolving consumer expectations and the growing presence of lab-grown stones. “HRD has a crucial role to play as a trusted partner, and I am fully committed to strengthening that position.”
Founded in 1973, HRD Antwerp is Europe’s leading authority in diamond grading, jewellery certification and education, drawing on centuries of Antwerp’s diamond-trading heritage. In India, the organisation has steadily expanded its footprint since opening a diamond grading laboratory in Mumbai in 2012, followed by jewellery certification in 2018. Today, HRD India operates from Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex, with labs and drop-off points across SEEPZ, Surat, Delhi, Jaipur, Kolkata and Hyderabad.
As scrutiny intensifies and the market evolves, HRD Antwerp is betting on seasoned leadership. With De Wachter at the helm, the message is unmistakable: the world’s diamonds may be changing, but trust remains non-negotiable.
Brands
Rohini Laya Venkateswaran named executive director at Gillette India
P&G veteran with two decades of experience steps into leadership role
NEW DELHI: Rohini Laya Venkateswaran has been appointed executive director at Gillette India Pvt. Ltd., bringing with her more than two decades of experience across sales, strategy and brand leadership within the consumer goods sector. In her new role, she will help steer the company’s strategic direction and growth while strengthening its footprint in the grooming and personal care category.
Venkateswaran joins the board after a long career at Procter & Gamble, where she spent nearly 21 years shaping sales strategy, building brands and driving market expansion across India and international markets.
Most recently, she served as chief sales officer for India at P&G. Prior to that, she was vice president and country manager for east gulf markets, overseeing operations in Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar while also guiding sales strategy across the Gulf region, including the UAE.
Earlier in her career, she led sales strategy and planning for India while serving as marketing leader for brands such as Olay and Old Spice. During this stint, she focused on reshaping go-to-market channels and building awareness through digital, social and influencer-led campaigns to drive growth.
Her journey at P&G also included roles such as director sales strategy and planning leader India, associate director modern retail and ecommerce, regional manager for Delhi and Rajasthan, and several key account and trade marketing roles across the country. She also spent time in the United States working on the P&G Walmart international team, collaborating on global retail initiatives.
Venkateswaran holds an MBA in marketing from SP Jain Institute of Management and Research and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from RV College of Engineering.
With her mix of sales acumen, brand-building experience and global exposure, Venkateswaran’s appointment signals a sharpened focus on growth and market leadership for Gillette India.
