Leaders of De Beers and Signet meet...

Visit aims to identify opportunities to promote the positive economic impact of natural diamonds and advance strategies for a bright future

Al Cook, CEO of De Beers Group - the world's leading diamond company - and Gina Drosos, CEO of Signet Jewelers - the world's leading diamond jewellery retailer - came together in Botswana this week to meet with their local teams in Botswana and discuss future collaboration opportunities to promote the beauty and benefits that come from natural diamonds. Their teams in Botswana shared first hand, advancements, as well as the incredible impact that comes from natural diamonds, in the form of education, philanthropy, healthcare and GDP.

During the trip, Gina Drosos and the Signet team visited the world's most valuable diamond mine, Jwaneng, including its hospital which supports the local community. Gina also visited Signet's dedicated diamond polishing factory in Botswana, which employs 201 people of whom more than 88 per cent are Botswana citizens, and 63 per cent are women.

Gina Drosos said: "Signet is a Purpose oriented company and it is so rewarding to see first-hand how the diamonds we source, polish and sell are helping to grow and shape the future of nations such as Botswana. Since the discovery of diamonds in the country, and through our ongoing commitment to the country, Botswana has enjoyed one of the world's fastest per capita economic growth rates. Meanwhile, more than a quarter of national GDP derives from diamonds, and revenues from the diamond industry have also transformed education, healthcare and infrastructure. Our team of more than 200 members are active in the local Botswana community, and our Signet Direct Sourcing has become a truly great place to work. Meanwhile, it's been amazing to see Botswana's work on conservation and environmental stewardship also transform and evolve. This team and community, and our partnerships here, are aligned with our Purpose of Inspiring Love. As such, we want to help our customers understand more about the story of where their diamond comes from and the positive difference it makes to people's lives."

Al Cook said: "We are very pleased to be working alongside Signet. Our two companies stretch from Botswana, the leading diamond producer, to the United States, the leading diamond market. We share a passion for natural diamonds and the good they can bring. As we deepen our commitment to supplying diamonds from Botswana, we are also strengthening our relationship with Signet in the United States and beyond."

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Notes to Editors

An image of Al Cook and Gina Drosos in Botswana is available to download here.

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About De Beers Group

Established in 1888, De Beers Group is the world's leading diamond company with expertise in the exploration, mining, marketing and retailing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers Group employs more than 20,000 people across the diamond pipeline and is the world's largest diamond producer by value, with diamond mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. Innovation sits at the heart of De Beers Group's strategy as it develops a portfolio of offers that span the diamond value chain, including its jewellery houses, De Beers Jewellers and De Beers Forevermark, and other pioneering solutions such as diamond sourcing and traceability initiatives Tracr and GemFair. De Beers Group also provides leading services and technology to the diamond industry in the form of education and laboratory services via De Beers Institute of Diamonds and a wide range of diamond sorting, detection and classification technology systems via De Beers Group Ignite. De Beers Group is committed to 'Building Forever,' a holistic and integrated approach for creating a better future - where safety, human rights and ethical integrity continue to be paramount; where communities thrive and the environment is protected; and where there are equal opportunities for all. De Beers Group is a member of the Anglo American plc group. For further information, visit www.debeersgroup.com.

About Signet:

Signet Jewelers Limited is the world's largest retailer of diamond jewelry. As a Purpose-driven and sustainability-focused company, Signet is a participant in the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business. Signet operates approximately 2,700 stores primarily under the name brands of Kay Jewelers, Zales, Jared, Banter by Piercing Pagoda, Diamonds Direct, Blue Nile, JamesAllen.com, Rocksbox, Peoples Jewellers, H. Samuel, and Ernest Jones.

Further information on Signet is available at www.signetjewelers.com and/or also www.kay.com, www.zales.com, www.jared.com, www.banter.com, www.diamondsdirect.com, www.bluenile.com, www.jamesallen.com, www.rocksbox.com, www.peoplesjewellers.com , www.hsamuel.co.uk, www.ernestjones.co.uk.

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