De Beers reshuffles government staff as COO steps down

De Beers Group has introduced senior administration modifications as chief working officer Burger Greeff prepares to retire on the finish of the 12 months after greater than 30 years with the corporate.

Kevin Smith, at present government vice-president of company affairs and technique, will grow to be interim chief working officer from 1 December 2025. 

Eirik Waerness, senior vice-president and chief economist, will tackle the function of appearing government vice-president of company affairs and technique.

Greeff joined De Beers Group in 1993 as a senior analysis officer at De Beers Consolidated Mines. He later held management positions together with senior analysis supervisor for technique, common supervisor at De Beers Marine SA, and government head of technical and sustainability.

In the meantime, Smith joined De Beers in 1996 and has held a variety of operational, technical and business roles throughout De Beers and Anglo American. 

As government vice-president of company affairs and technique, he has led supply of the group’s Origins technique and earlier contributed to its upstream enterprise technique.

Moreover, Waerness joined De Beers in September 2025 from Norwegian vitality firm Equinor, the place he served as chief economist for 12 years and likewise headed technique. At De Beers, he oversees world market and worth evaluation and can now add accountability for world communications, authorities affairs, technique and enterprise growth.

Al Cook dinner, chief government of De Beers Group, stated: “As chief working officer, Burger has introduced integrity, strategic foresight and unwavering dedication to our function. His contributions have helped form the way forward for our operations and impressed many throughout the enterprise.

“With Burger’s departure, I’m delighted that Kevin Smith, a extremely revered chief with an excellent observe document, will take over the management of our operations. He brings almost 30 years of expertise and a variety of expertise, together with working with our authorities companions in Botswana and Namibia to drive success in our joint ventures.”

He added: “I additionally welcome Eirik to the De Beers government committee as he strikes into the function of appearing government vice-president of company affairs and technique. With greater than 12 years in chief economist roles and in depth board expertise, he brings a singular world perspective that can strengthen our management staff.”