Recently retired Tiffany & Co executive D. Wayne Howard has joined the board of diamond mining company Diamcor Mining as an independent director.

“I am very pleased to announce the addition of Mr. Howard to our company’s board as an independent director.

“Having collaborated with Wayne at Tiffany & Co. over the years on the current and future direction of the diamond industry, and the growing complexities of securing supplies of non-conflict natural rough diamonds, I could not think of a better person to assist our company at a time when our desire is to grow our business and position ourselves as a key additional source of rough diamonds to reputable diamantaires and luxury retailers,” says Diamcor CEO Dean Taylor.

Howard has extensive experience as an international board member, with global experience with several NYSE-listed companies.

He has a demonstrated ability to improve profitability for companies by developing new strategies for growing revenues, reducing costs and improving operations, Diamcor says.

Howard has held various senior executive positions over his extensive career including VP of finance, executive VP of global operations, marketing and sales director and business owner.

He has extensive knowledge of the diamond industry and well-established relationships with key industry players, Diamcor points out.

Most recently and prior to his recent retirement, Howard held various executive level positions at Tiffany & Co.

He is also currently MD for New York-based Peale Davies, an independent advisory firm that provides strategic and financial advice on acquisitions, private capital solutions, restructurings, mergers and acquisitions and growth initiatives.

Howard has an Honours degree in Business Administration from Ivey Business School at Western University and has completed a PMD at Harvard Business School.

Diamcor has agreed to grant Howard options to buy three-million shares.

“I look forward to working with Mr. Taylor, and to providing him with the insight, experience and knowledge I have gained over the years to successfully grow businesses into larger entities.

“Dean and I share many of the same visions on the past, present and future direction of the diamond industry, and we both believe that the opportunity exists to now position Diamcor for the future,” Howard avers.

Diamcor has a long-term strategic alliance with Tiffany & Co.

The diamond miner’s primary focus is on the development of its Krone-Endora at Venetia project which is co-located and directly related to De Beers' flagship Venetia diamond mine in South Africa.