Oppenheimer takes over as Debswana chair

Oppenheimer's appointment was occasioned by the resignation of Gareth Penny as De Beers' CEO and Debswana Chair.

In a statement Thursday, Debswana said Oppenheimer, who is also De Beers Group Chairperson, had previously served as the Debswana Chair from January 1998 to March 2007.  He has been on the diamond giant's board since January 1980, is also Namdeb Chair, as well as a non-executive director of Anglo American plc.  Debswana officials explained that the Debswana Chairmanship rotates between a nominee of the Botswana Government and Delibes Holdings Limited every two years.  Delibes Holdings Limited is the De Beers entity that holds 50 percent of Debswana's equity.