What is amazing, however, is the quite successful "spin" exercised by all parties to make it seem like business as usual, just a normal transition. Journalists dutifully recycle the press release in which De Beers Group CEO Philippe Mellier praises "Varda's immense contribution to De Beers over her three decades with the business" thanking her "wholeheartedly for her tireless commitment to the success of De Beers, its partners and the wider diamond industry." Viva La Commedia!
Not a hint on why Varda is leaving. The sad part is, as a London insider explains it, that "the issue isn't her just departure - but that it's merely a further symptom of a management style that gradually but constantly puts the company and the whole diamond trade in jeopardy." Mellier may not be close enough to clients to have heard reactions, but someone in his own organisation summarised the client reaction: "The long awaited fear and nightmare has finally come true! Varda is leaving! I have heard people saying, if they have a choice, they would leave the diamond business altogether!"
