Freddy J. Hanard, CEO of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre, is retiring as the head executive at the Antwerp diamond sector’s umbrella organisation from December 31, 2010. He will complete a tenure of four years in the said position, having joined in May 2006, as CEO of the newly restructured public foundation, the AWDC. %% A key element of his term in office was Antwerp’s eastward expansion, during which Mr. Hanard chose not only to create a presence in the growing Asian markets but to become actively involved. He also reinforced relations with the major diamond producers. Mr. Hanard said, “I put a tremendous amount of energy and time into maintaining and reinforcing relationships with Russia, and China. My aim was to make diamonds in those countries synonymous with Antwerp.” %% Mr. Hanard has been recognised for his calm but decisive management especially his ability to see the Antwerp diamond sector through the global financial crisis in September 2008. He said, “Without a doubt, the biggest challenge was dealing with the impact of the global financial crisis which hit unexpectedly and with massive force in September 2008. Antwerp needed to take a leadership role, and within weeks we organised and convened the 2008 Antwerp Diamond Symposium, the goal of which was to analyse the situation from the perspective of the world diamond trade and to consider the strategies that would be required to deal with it. %% As a former banker, his keen appreciation of financial prudence helped the sector weather the storm. In order to enhance Antwerp’s competitive advantage by building upon its economies of scale, Mr. Hanard initiated Project 2020, a strategic programme that will lead the centre’s diamond sector into the next decade. “Freddy has left his indelible mark on AWDC, the men and women who work for it, and on the Antwerp diamond community. We are all better for it, and we owe him a debt of gratitude,” said AWDC President Nishit Parikh. Mr. Hanard will be succeeded as AWDC CEO by Ari Epstein, who currently serves as Deputy CEO of AWDC and head of the Antwerp Diamond Office.