The World Gold Council announced Monday the appointment of David Lamb as its managing director, jewelry, effective July 1st.

Lamb, who will be based in New York, will have overall responsibility for the strategic development of the gold jewelry market worldwide with a particular focus in building the premium market in the U.S. He will be a member of the WGC's Leadership Team and will report directly to Aram Shishmanian, CEO of the WGC. Lamb will also assume the U.S. jewelry responsibilities of the departing U.S. Managing Director, John Calnon, who is retiring.

Prior to his appointment to the WGC, Lamb was an Executive Director of the Diamonds/'>Diamond Trading Company, the sales and marketing arm of De Beers, as worldwide marketing director and subsequently chief strategy officer. Previously Lamb had spent more than 20 years at leading international advertising agencies, notably JWT Worldwide where he was executive vice president and held various leadership positions including head of worldwide account planning and finally head of multinational clients.