Edward Asscher

A previous chairman if the International Diamond Council, Edward Asscher served as IDC chairman until 2008. He is the president of the Dutch Diamond Manufacturers Association (AJV) and vice president of the European Council of Diamond Manufacturers. He is a past president of the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA).

Mr. Asscher, who was born on October 10, 1946, started working at the Royal Asscher Diamond Company in 1970 after completing a Masters Degree in Economics at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.

Mr. Asscher is also involved in affairs outside of the diamond industry. A past president of the Liberal Party, he currently holds a seat for this party in the Dutch parliament's Upper House.

He is the founder and past chairman of the Foundation for Mentally Handicapped People.

He is married with three children, two of whom work with him at the Royal Asscher Diamond Company.