Nicky Oppenheimer

Nicky Oppenheimer is a South African businessman and philanthropist, former chairman of De Beers and a member of the Oppenheimer family long associated with the diamond and mining industries. He is South African by birth and built his career within the family's business empire, rising through De Beers and Anglo American before leading De Beers for more than two decades until the family sold its stake to Anglo American. His influence spans mining, conservation and philanthropy across southern Africa, where he has invested heavily in wildlife conservation and land restoration. Through Oppenheimer Generations, the family's investment and philanthropic vehicle, he supports research into biodiversity, climate change and conservation science across countries including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Zambia. He recurs in coverage for his continued advocacy on environmental and conservation issues, often appearing alongside scientists and institutions such as Stellenbosch University and Duke University. His family's conservation initiatives have also engaged with international climate science bodies such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Oppenheimer succeeded his father, Harry Oppenheimer, in leading De Beers, continuing a multigenerational family legacy in diamonds. Since stepping back from day-to-day corporate leadership, he has focused on conservation, land stewardship and funding scientific research. He remains one of the most prominent figures linking South African business history with conservation philanthropy.