Events

Fahmida Smith (Panel facilitator)

Principal Market Development at Anglo American Platinum

Join Fahmida Smith as she reflects on the role of investment in Platinum Group Metals and ask experts in the investment sector to share their insights and thoughts relating to ETF products, bars and coins and the trends driving investment behaviour.

Fahmida is a Chemical Engineer by profession and has been in the PGM mining industry for >25 years. The last 16 years of her career has been focused on Market Development, particularly on the hydrogen and fuel cell sector where she was responsible for the development of the first hydrogen fuel cell forklift and refuelling station in South Africa.

Fahmida leads Anglo American’s Market Development work on battery development as well as all local activities on the hydrogen economy development, where she works closely with the South African Government as well as local and international industry players. Her current focus is on the development of a South African Hydrogen Valley and the first heavy-duty hydrogen freight corridor.

Fahmida also leads PlatAfrica which is a flagship market development jewellery design and manufacturing programme in South Africa. Fahmida also leads the market development activities in the MedTech opportunity area.

Fahmida is Vice-chair and non-Executive Director of the African Hydrogen Partnership, a non-Executive Director of the Platinum Incubator, a non-Executive Director and acting chairperson of African Hydrogen Ventures and Chairperson of the Hydrogen Expert Team commissioned via the Minerals Council of South Africa

Vicki Barker  (Panelist)

Investor Communications Manager at World Platinum Investment Council

Join us to hear from Vicki Barker on the role of the World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC). The aim of the organisation is to stimulate global investor demand for platinum through both actionable insights and the targeted development of platinum investment products and channels. Vicki will join Fahmida and a team of other investment specialists to discuss how WPIC engages with investors and market participants and cover key questions on the topic:
Platinum Group Metals as an Investment Asset Why, What, and How?

Vicki researches, writes and publishes WPIC investor communications and content, including its popular 60 Seconds in Platinum articles, across all digital channels.

An experienced corporate communications professional, Vicki started her career as an analyst with a major UK bank. Her first communications role was with the then 250-listed AB Ports, where she was Investor Relations Manager. Before joining WPIC, she was Communications Manager for the infrastructure asset management firm, InfraRed Capital Partners.

Eva Casey

Director, UK & Ireland Sales at WisdomTree

Eva is based in Dublin and is responsible for WisdomTree’s sales and business development plans across UK & Ireland. This includes strengthening existing relationships, distributing its range of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and exchange-tradedproducts (ETPs), and broadening WisdomTree’s client base in the region with a focus on institutions and intermediaries.

Kirstie Hopkins (Panelist)

Head of Bullion Trade and International Sales at the Royal Mint.

Join us for an engaging session with Kirstie Hopkins from The Royal Mint – one of the world’s oldest mints. Renowned for producing the UK’s currency, The Royal Mint also crafts premium bullion and collectible products that are sought after world-wide. Kirstie joins us to share insights into demand for bullion coins in physical retail and the opportunities for platinum group metals.

Kirstie Hopkins is the Head of Bullion Trade and International Sales at The Royal Mint. With ten years of experience in bullion, liaising with key global customers, Kirstie oversees the strategic global sales of The Royal Mint’s silver, gold and platinum coins and bars, from the UK to Australia, including the development and innovation of new products.

Key to her role has been focusing on cementing The Royal Mint’s new bullion distribution in Europe and East Asia, and as of 2024, The Royal Mint now holds number one market share position for gold coins in those territories. More recently, Kirstie was a part of The Royal Mint’s Female Investor campaign, looking to empower women to embrace investment for wealth preservation and growth.