Press Release

Leadership Transition for GIA India

Nirupa Bhatt, managing director of GIA India, will transition to a consulting advisory role focused on GIA’s Diamond Origin Report.
Nirupa Bhatt, managing director of GIA India, will transition to a consulting advisory role focused on GIA’s Diamond Origin Report.

CARLSBAD, Calif. – 12 March 2020 – Nirupa Bhatt announced her transition from her full-time position as managing director of GIA India Laboratory Pvt. Ltd. (“GIA India”), effective from 15 June. In her role as managing director, Bhatt oversaw the successful 10-year expansion of GIA India.
 
“I intend to transition from my current operational role as managing director of GIA India to a consulting advisory position focusing on GIA’s Diamond Origin Report service. This decision offers a smooth succession plan for GIA India, with me available to personally guide a quality transition for customers and the trade,” said Bhatt.
 
Sriram Natarajan, currently vice president of laboratory operations since joining GIA India in August 2017, will become managing director of GIA India, reporting to GIA India’s board of directors. Before his current role, Natarajan held operational and leadership roles in a variety of international industries.

“Nirupa Bhatt has overseen the launch of the GIA India laboratories in Mumbai and Surat, and the GIA education programmes in India,” said Susan Jacques, president and CEO of Gemological Institute of America, Inc. (“GIA”). “She has been instrumental in the establishment of GIA India, and her tremendous contribution to the industry, to GIA India and to our mission will have a lasting impact that will long be remembered.”
 
Apoorva Deshingkar, who joined GIA India in 2009, will become senior director of sales for GIA India, reporting to Natarajan.
 

Sriram Natarajan, currently vice president of laboratory operations of GIA India, will become managing director of GIA India.
Sriram Natarajan, currently vice president of laboratory operations of GIA India, will become managing director of GIA India.

Bhatt joined GIA India on 1 Jan 2008, with responsibility for expanding education programmes and laboratory services. She oversaw the opening of the GIA India laboratory in Mumbai, and increased the scope of GIA education offerings in India. In 2018, GIA India opened a laboratory in Surat to serve clients in that important diamond manufacturing centre.
 
She is active in many industry and trade organisations, and has been recognised for her many contributions to the trade, including the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), the All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC), the Indian Diamond & Colorstone Association (IDCA) New York and the US Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA). Bhatt has served on several judging panels for industry awards and she established the India chapter of WJA.
 
Prior to joining GIA India, Bhatt worked for the mining conglomerate Rio Tinto – owner of the Argyle Diamond Mine in Australia and the Diavik Diamond Mine in Canada – for 20 years. She also managed the Indo Argyle Diamond Council.

About GIA

An independent non-profit organisation, GIA (Gemological Institute of America), established in 1931, is recognised as the world’s foremost authority in gemmology. GIA invented the famous 4Cs of Colour, Clarity, Cut and Carat Weight and, in 1953, created the International Diamond Grading System™ which is recognised around the world as the standard for diamond quality.
 
Through research, education, gemmological laboratory services and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewellery by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science and professionalism.