Anglo American's De Beers has appointed oil and energy industry executive Al Cook as its new chief to replace Bruce Cleaver, who steps down after eight years at the helm of the world's top diamond producer.

Cook joins at the start of 2023 from Norway's Equinor, Europe's top gas supplier, where he held an executive vice-president position, responsible for the firm's international portfolio ranging from Algeria, Tanzania and Angola to Brazil and Argentina.

Cleaver will become co-chairman of De Beers Group. He took the top job in 2016, after sales stagnated due to a slowdown in the Chinese economy.