Mumbai: HRD Antwerp, a subsidiary of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), has appointed Paul De Wachter as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective January 5, 2026. With over two decades of experience in the international diamond industry, De Wachter will lead HRD Antwerp through a phase of transformation while strengthening its position as a trusted partner to the global diamond trade.
De Wachter began his career in the diamond sector in 2002 and went on to serve as Senior Relationship Manager at the Antwerp Diamond Bank. Following a brief stint at Channel Capital Advisors, he joined the National Bank of Fujairah (NBF), where he has spent more than seven years. At NBF, he initially headed the Antwerp Representative Office, building a strong local client portfolio, and since 2020 has served as Head of the Diamond Unit, significantly enhancing the bank’s brand visibility and market position.
Commenting on the appointment, Bart De Hantsetters, on behalf of the Board of Directors, said, “With his extensive experience in the international diamond industry, his strong and relevant network, and the concrete results he has achieved as Head of the Diamond Unit at NBF, Paul convinced the Board that he is the right person to lead HRD Antwerp into the future.”
Sharing his thoughts on the new role, Paul De Wachter said, “I am very much looking forward to taking on this new challenge at HRD Antwerp, especially at a time when the international diamond industry is facing major challenges – from shifting consumer expectations to the emergence of lab-grown diamonds. I am honoured by the trust the Board of Directors of HRD Antwerp has placed in me and am deeply committed to strengthening HRD’s role as a trusted partner to the industry.”
HRD Antwerp is Europe’s leading authority in diamond grading, jewellery grading, and education, drawing on more than 575 years of heritage rooted in Antwerp’s diamond trade. The organisation is known for its commitment to precision and quality across its products and services.
In India, HRD Antwerp established its diamond grading laboratory in Mumbai in 2012 to address growing local and international demand for certification. In 2018, it expanded its services to include jewellery certification, broadening its portfolio beyond diamonds. Today, HRD India is headquartered in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) with a dedicated diamond grading lab and operates jewellery grading labs and diamond drop-off points across major hubs including SEEPZ (Mumbai), Surat, Delhi, Jaipur, Kolkata, and Hyderabad.
