Senior Vice President Government Affairs, De Beers
Emma joined De Beers in 2024 as Senior Vice President, Government Affairs.
Prior to this, Emma had a distinguished career as a British Diplomat spanning more than two decades. Emma’s last government assignment was as His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for North America and Consul General to New York, from 2021-2023. This followed five years as Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Africa (2016-2021), leading a pan-Africa trade and investment network from her base in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Before moving into the world of trade and investment, Emma worked at the British Embassy in Washington D.C. as the UK’s Counsellor for Foreign and Security Policy (2012-2015). This came on the back of a two year stint (2009-2011) heading up the UK Government’s International Crisis Response Team. She was awarded an OBE by Her Majesty The Queen for her work helping British Nationals to safety from hot spots all around the world.
In addition, Emma’s diplomatic career saw her live and work in Mexico and Chile as well as undertake secondments to the United Nations in New York; the European Commission in Brussels; and the UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, where she worked on international trade.
Emma is married to John and has two stepsons; speaks reasonably fluent Spanish; is a Seattle Seahawks fan; loves dancing and live music; and attempts to play golf every once in a while.
