Al Cook

Spear’s Review

In early 2023, Al Cook was chosen to replace former De Beers CEO Bruce Cleaver, who moved to the role of co-chair. Cleaver is a tough act to follow; under his tenure the business ‘launched the world’s largest and most sophisticated diamond recovery and exploration vessels’ and provided its clients with ‘absolute assurance of the ethical provenance of their diamonds’, according to the company. 

Cook looks to continue this legacy using his more than 25 years of experience in leading international companies, notably at BP and Equinor, where he led its ‘multi-billion dollar global E&P business across Africa, the Americas and Europe’. 

Established in 1888, De Beers is the world’s largest diamond producer by value, employing more than 20,000 people across the diamond pipeline with mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. One of Cook’s priorities is leading the company back to profitability; plans to cut $100 million in costs include streamlining the business and moving away from lab-grown diamonds.