Board of directors

Executive Directors

Adonis Pouroulis

Executive Chairman

Adonis Pouroulis, aged 40, is a mining entrepreneur whose expertise lies in the discovery and exploration of natural resources across Africa, including diamonds, precious/base metals, coal and oil and gas, and bringing these assets into production. Mr Pouroulis founded Petra Diamonds in 1997 and it became the first diamond company to float on AIM. He has been influential in the listing of a number of other resources companies onto AIM and is also Non-Executive Chairman of Chariot Oil & Gas Limited.

Johan Dippenaar

Chief Executive Officer

Johan Dippenaar (CA), aged 53, has 20 years’ experience in the leadership and management of producing diamond mining companies. Prior to his appointment as CEO of Petra, he was CEO of Crown Diamonds which merged with Petra in 2005. Mr Dippenaar and his colleagues have led Petra through a period of extraordinary growth, during which time the Company has emerged as the successful frontrunner in the acquisitions of four major mines from De Beers. Mr Dippenaar is a chartered accountant by profession and a member of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.

David Abery

Finance Director

David Abery (ACA), aged 48, is a Chartered Accountant (ICAEW), who brings to Petra extensive experience as a Chief Financial Officer in both the South African and UK business environments. Mr Abery has been integral to the structuring and delivery of strategic group corporate development and acquisitions at Petra, as well as the instigation of a number of innovative financing transactions.

Jim Davidson

Technical Director

Jim Davidson, aged 66, is an acknowledged world authority on kimberlite geology and exploration, having spent in excess of 30 years associated with diamond exploration and mining, of which 20 years have included mine management in South Africa. As Head of Diamond Exploration in Southern Africa for BP Minerals (subsequently Rio Tinto) in the 1980’s, Mr Davidson pioneered research into kimberlite indicator mineral chemistry and microdiamond analysis. He is a qualified geologist and a member of the Geological Society of South Africa and registered with the SACNASP.

Non-Executive Directors

Charles Segall


Charles Segall, aged 69, is a director of the Atlantic Trust Company Limited of South Africa where he specialises in providing trustee services. He is admitted as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa. He is the Chairman of Petra’s Remuneration Committee.

Dr. Omar Kamal


Dr. Omar Kamal, aged 37, is a Managing Director of Al Rajhi Holdings W.L.L., Petra’s largest shareholder. At Al Rajhi, Dr. Kamal is responsible for identifying, managing and participating in strategic investments and joint venture projects. His current portfolio includes investments across various sectors/asset classes such as mining and minerals, financial institutions and international equities. Dr. Kamal is Chairman of Petra’s Audit Committee.