In this Fireside Conversation, Frank R. Suess sits down with Christoph Wild, president of the ASFCMP (in English, the Swiss Association of Precious Metal Manufacturers and Dealers) to discuss the precious metals industry, where some of the negative perceptions of the industry have come from, and what tangible efforts are being taken to change them.  

Christoph Wild has more than 30 years of experience in the precious metals industry. Up until February 2022, he had served 10 years as the CEO and a Delegate on the Board of Directors with the Swiss-based refinery, Argor-Heraeus, one of the leading precious metals refiners in the world.  As president of the ASFCMP, he remains a key representative of the Swiss precious metals industry as he works within the industry, with a variety of active stakeholders, and NGO’s, amongst others, to support and improve the standards of the gold industry.

Frank and Christoph discuss the tarnished reputation of the industry and why this sector seems to attract bad press even while there is good being done. They also dive into the importance precious metals plays in the Swiss economy, how Switzerland came to be a hub for the industry, and why there is an enormous opportunity for precious metals to avoid the pitfalls that have befallen the finance sector.

Like our Conversation with the CEO of the World Gold Council, David Tait, it becomes very clear that this topic – like so many others – is NOT just one-dimensional and is more complex than many people might think.