Executive Committee
David Troostwyk – President
David Troostwyk began his career in Antwerp where he worked for several Sight holders. He then went on to establish one of the first online electronic diamond exchange. In 2011, David returned to his native UK to set up Salotro. a diamond trading company. He joined the London Diamond Bourse in 2011 and later, The Young Diamantaires Group. David has been on the London diamond Bourse Council of Management since 2018 and Young Diamantaire Management Committee since 2019. His extensive expertise cover many levels of the diamond pipeline and he uses this experience to implement initiatives to bring the next generation of diamantaires through both organisations.
Charlotte Rose – Vice President
Third generation, Charlotte Rose began her career working for her parents in their antique jewellery store. Pursuing a love of diamonds, Charlotte completed a degree in Gemmology, graduating with first class honours.
Selected as one of Retail Jeweller’s 30 under 30, Charlotte is the director of online vintage jewellery business Solomons & Rose Ltd, and works as a consultant gemmologist specialising in diamond pipeline and consumer protection, working closely with the Natural Diamond Council. Her passion for growing the natural diamond industry both her work, and commitment to nurturing an exciting and thriving field.
Paul Koppelman – Executive Officer
Paul Koppelman entered the diamond trade in 1970 after graduating in Political Philosophy and Government and Law. He spent two and a half years learning diamond cleaving and diamond polishing before joining the family business which dealt mainly in rough diamonds. Paul broadened the business into industrial diamonds. . Has been a member of the Council of management for over forty years and has been very involved with Government Diamond Office in implementing the Kimberley Process Certification scheme in the UK since its inception in 2003.
Lewis Malka – Treasurer
Lewis started in the jewellery industry as a 16-year-old apprentice diamond mounter. In 2000 he started up his own business. He specialises in bespoke engagement rings and deals direct to the public by appointment only. In 2016 Lewis wrote a book, called The Engagement Ring, which is available on Amazon. He has a loyal following on social media, where he’s constantly updating and creating new and original content, both in written blog and video format. In 2022 Lewis was asked to collaborate with the BAJ (British Academy of Jewellery). Together they created the Lewis Malka Award for Engagement Ring Excellence. The purpose was to educate the students, add a little glamour, and help spread awareness of the London Diamond Bourse, to potentially the next generation of diamond traders.
Council of Management
Kathy Chappell
Kathy has worked in the gemstone business for over 20 years. She emigrated to Canada as a child in 1965, settling in the gold mining town of Red Lake, northwest Ontario and later in the diamond province of Guyana and then in South Africa, returning to the UK in 1974. Through the family gemstone business, she has successfully marketed the Nyala Rubyᵀᴹ from the Chimwadzulu mine in Malawi. She buys stones from source and has a working relationship with Columbia Gem House of the USA, a leading proponent of ethical sourcing and distribution.
Howard Levine
Howard learnt the trade at Euro Pearls, where he stayed for over 13 years, only moving to become the sales director at H. Chalfen Ltd for another 8. Being headhunted by GemsOne took him away from Chalfen for 2 years before he returned to Chalfen as managing director. Wanting to change the supply of diamonds to retailers in the internet age, Howard started Diamnet in 2017 and has not looked back. Although starting with purely natural diamonds, he was the first trader to embrace laboratory-grown diamonds without ever turning his back on natural. Diamnet now lists over 450,000 natural diamonds and around 800,000 Lab-Grown Diamonds on its B2B service. Howard is GIA trained and a Cultured Pearl expert. Nominated for 3 trade awards in 3 years, Diamnet was the first to launch a fully branded range of Lab-Grown Diamond Jewellery, named after his sons Hayes & Lake.
Jacqui Larsson
Jacqui is an award-winning independent jeweller with two decades experience producing personalised and finely crafted bespoke jewellery. A qualified gemmologist and diamond specialist, Jacqui trained with the Gemmological Association of Great Britain and was awarded the prestigious Deeks Diamond Prize in 2008.
Jacqui was appointed Sales & Marketing Director of Opsydia in March 2024. This innovative laser specialist is a global leader in precision tamper-proof sub-surface inscription technology. Their microscopic nano identifiers secure both the traceability journey of a diamond and brand identity.
James Heath
Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, James brings with him more than 28 years’ experience working in the industry, having had his first taste of the trade running for his family’s business in his school holidays. Since then, James’s passion for diamonds and all kinds of gemstones has seen him spend time working in Africa as well as numerous visits to Europe, America and Asia. Now based in London, James brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience and is committed to creating unique pieces of jewellery for his clients spanning both classic and contemporary designs.
Lisa Levinson
Lisa Levinson is Head of UK at the Natural Diamond Council, which inspires and educates consumers on the real, rare, and responsible values of natural diamonds and the positive global impact of the industry. Previously, Lisa worked at De Beers Group in Botswana and UK, with a Canadian diamond cutting company, and in the management consultancy sector in Sweden. In her spare time, she sources rare diamonds for private clients.
Deborah Smookler
Deborah brings over 20 years of experience in the jewellery industry. She is a partner at the London Victorian Ring Co. in Hatton Garden, representing the fourth generation of jewellers in her family. Since 2006, she has played an integral role in curating distinctive pieces that have enriched the lives of thousands of clients. Her dedication to quality is reflected in her meticulous approach to sourcing fine gemstones, overseeing each stage of production, and managing the company’s digital presence to maintain its reputation for excellence.
Advisors
Alan Cohen
Alan Cohen has been in the diamond business since 1971. He trained as a rough and polished diamond sorter in South Africa. He is an independent dealer in polished and rough diamonds. Alan was based in London from 1974 – 1991 buying both rough and polished diamonds all around the world. He lived and worked in Moscow, Russia from 1991 to 2006. Became a member of the LDB council in 2012 and president in 2018.
David Joffe,
David Joffe has been in the diamond trade for more than 45 years. His company was a De Beers sight holder in Johannesburg, South Africa. In 1977 he moved to London. He has traded in both rough and polished diamonds and travelled to all parts of the world both buying and selling stones. David is part of the Executive Committee and holds the role of Treasurer of the London Diamond Bourse – a post he has held for more than 20 years. David has been on the board for some 25 years.
LDB Staff
Stacey Aylott – Chief Operating Officer
Having amassed 20 years plus of Office Management experience, along with positions in Accounts and Human Resources, Stacey began her career at the LDB in 2014 as an Executive Assistant/Office Manager, later progressing to Operations Manager in 2018. In March of 2022, tasked with managing all the company’s operational aspects and implementing policies to promote and oversee daily operations, the Executive Committee promoted Stacey to the position of Chief Operating Officer.
