Heraeus Precious Metals Forum Americas 2026

Uve Kupka, President | Heraeus Precious Metals North America

Uve serves as President of Heraeus Precious Metals North America. Uve studied Business and Economics at the University of Gießen and started his professional career as international controller for W.C. Heraeus. In 1998, he transferred to Singapore as Corporate Controller and was responsible for W.C. Heraeus divisions and subsidiaries in Asia. Afterwards, he managed Heraeus Ltd. in Hong Kong. In 2009, he moved to New York as President and headed the North American activities for W.C. Heraeus (subsequently Heraeus Precious Metals). He managed the business of the GBU Heraeus Metal Management in the US starting in 2015 and took over the management of the activities of the GBU Heraeus Precious Metals in the US in April 2017.

Michael Villagomez, Head of Trading | Heraeus Metals New York

Michael Villagomez is a senior executive with more than 25 years of experience in the global precious metals industry, specializing in sales, trading, business development, and operations. As Vice President at Heraeus, he leads the New York sales and trading teams, oversees North American distribution of precious metals products, and will play a key role in driving significant revenue growth, strategic initiatives, and major customer partnerships. 

Throughout his career, Michael has held leadership positions at ICBC Standard Resources, Bear Stearns, JP Morgan Chase, and Mitsubishi International Corp., developing deep expertise in physical and financial precious metals markets, ETF arbitrage, risk management, and international trading. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from San Diego State University and is a proud U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

Steve Englander, Head, Global G10 FX Research and North America Macro Strategy | Standard Chartered Bank NY Branch

Steve heads Global G10 FX research and North America Macro Strategy, based in New York. His role includes analysis of G10 FX and its interaction with other asset markets. He also provides internal and external clients with strategic insight on US and Canadian asset markets. He joined the Bank in June 2018 from Rafiki Capital Management, and before that was head of G10 FX strategy at Citibank. Previously, he worked at Barclays Capital, Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch, the OECD and the New York Fed. He is known for his analysis of inflation, productivity growth, the dollar’s role in international finance and reserve manager behaviour. Steve holds a PhD in economics from Yale University. He is a frequent contributor on CNBC, Bloomberg and other media.

What Shocks Will Drive Asset Markets in Coming Years?

Philip Newman, Managing Director | Metals Focus 

Philip Newman is Managing Director and a founding partner of Metals Focus, the London-based independent precious metals consultancy. With more than 30 years of experience in the global precious metals sector, he specialises in gold, silver and platinum group metals markets. Before establishing Metals Focus in 2013, Philip spent almost two decades at GFMS, including as Research Director. His work has covered all major precious metals markets, with a particular focus on demand and price dynamics.

High Silver Prices: Testing the Resilience of Industrial Demand

Although silver fell by almost half from its January peak, its average price over the first seven months of this year was still a comfortable record high, and roughly one-third above the 2025 average. What will this mean for industrial fabrication, which currently accounts for close to 60% of global silver demand? Industrial offtake has already declined in both 2025 and 2026 following several years of rapid growth. Will exceptionally high prices extend that downturn, accelerate thrifting and encourage outright substitution? Or will some applications prove more resistant to these prices? Philip Newman of Metals Focus will examine how different end-uses are likely to respond and consider the outlook for silver industrial demand in a high price environment.

Oliver Keitel, Portfolio Management Director, Electrodes & Components | Heraeus Medevio

Oliver Keitel is Portfolio Management Director, Electrodes & Components at Heraeus Medevio. He has more than 25 years of experience in medical device technologies, specializing in electrodes, precious metal components, functional coatings, and micro-machined components for sensing and stimulation applications. Throughout his career at Heraeus, he has held leadership positions in R&D, engineering, business development, and portfolio management, helping bring innovative medical technologies to market.

Use of Platinum in the Medical Industry

Platinum is a key material in many life-saving medical devices due to its outstanding biocompatibility, durability, electrical conductivity, and X-ray visibility. This presentation will highlight how platinum enables applications in cardiovascular and neurovascular therapies, including stents, pacemakers, ablation catheters, and aneurysm treatment devices, and discuss its growing importance in the medical industry.

Yana Stunis, Manager Sales | Valterra Platinum

Yana Stunis is Manager Sales at Valterra Platinum, where she is responsible for developing strategic customer relationships and commercial partnerships across the global platinum group metals (PGM) market. With more than 15 years of experience spanning precious metals, commodities, financial services, and technology, she brings a broad perspective on market dynamics, customer strategy, risk management, and business development.

Prior to joining Valterra Platinum, Yana held a range of commercial, front-office, and risk management roles across global financial institutions and technology ventures. In addition to her commercial responsibilities, Yana is actively involved in industry initiatives supporting the advancement of the PGM sector, including sustainability and innovation.  She currently serves as Global Chair of Women in Platinum Group Metals (WiPGMs), helping to foster collaboration and leadership across the industry.  Yana holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and is a CFA Charterholder.