Victoria McKay resigns from London Diamond Bourse

Just two months after board changes were announced at the LDB, including the appointment of new president Alan Cohen, McKay has said she will step down from her position after signing off the deal to refurbish and reconfigure their premises at 100 Hatton Garden, London which is designed to allow members of the UK diamond industry to work and trade together across a larger improved space.

She will remain as a consultant to manage the launch of the new space but is also looking at 'new things' adopting 'whatvictoriadidnext' as her hashtag sign off following the announcement.

"Working at London Diamond Bourse has enabled me to evolve both professionally and personally," she said. "I will forever be grateful for the experience and opportunities of the last six years. It is time to move onto new things."

Alan Cohen paid tribute to McKay, who joined the LDB in 2012, saying she had 'transformed us from an inwardly focused private members club into a respected professional trade association with a global profile.'

“On behalf of the council of management, I would like to thank her for many significant achievements; not least the past three years of all-consuming work while she headed our team to find a new suitable home for the London Diamond Bourse," he said. "The trade will never know just what a mammoth task this has been.”

“McKay will remain in the short term to complete the final stages of what has been a very long and complex negotiation, with dozens of specialist firms, legal matters and advisors to contend with.  Her strength and fortitude have brought us to the point of signing the lease for our new home together with delivering a plan to expand our operation in the future.

“In an effort to create a thriving diamond bourse and hub space, Victoria will be engaged by the bourse as a consultant to manage the launch of the new space on the LDB’s behalf.”

McKay's search for new premises to house the LDB started three years ago when uncertainty over terms of a new lease was created by the sale of 100 Hatton Garden to new Singaporean investor owners UOL Group. But eventually an agrement was reached to remain at the property where it has been for 78 years with new plans to modernise the space and improve access, facilities for tenants and both members and non members of the LDB and security measures.

Her successor will be Stacey Aylott who, Cohen said, was an obvious choice.

“Stacey, who is an obvious successor, has been promoted from executive assistant to operations manager. She clearly has the ability to maintain a steady and effective organisation during this pivotal time in our development.

"Again, we cannot thank Victoria enough for the dedication, passion and enthusiasm she has given to our organisation and, we wish her very best of luck in her exciting new chapter.”