WGC-IIGJ Discussions Chart Path for Gold Innovation and Global Expansion
Senior executives from the World Gold Council’s London headquarters visited the Indian Institute of Gems & Jewellery (IIGJ), Mumbai, on 21 April 2026, to discuss strategies for driving gold jewellery innovation through design, technology, and fresh product ideas. The visit also explored potential collaboration in talent development and innovation-focused initiatives, while the delegation engaged with students showcasing their final-year ‘Glimpz’ projects.
The WGC team included Nigel Ruth, COO; Terry Heymann, Chief Strategy Officer; Sachin Jain, Regional CEO, India; Rakhi Khanna, Global Head of Corporate Communications; and Arti Saxena, Director and Head of Marketing, India. They were welcomed by Milan Chokshi, Chairman, IIGJ; Debasish Biswas, CEO, IIGJ; and Dolly Choudhary, Director – Promotions, Marketing & Business Development, GJEPC.
In his opening address, Ruth said the organisation’s priority is to keep jewellery relevant for younger consumers, adding that India offers the ideal market to understand emerging preferences and inspire future direction.
Heymann shared similar views, noting that India’s youth hold the key to the sector’s future and expressing interest in gaining deeper insight into the institute’s work and engaging with it constructively.
Sachin Jain praised the students’ creativity, confidence, and conviction in presenting their ideas, adding that such qualities reflect strong training and discipline. He emphasised the WGC team’s desire to support IIGJ’s journey in a meaningful and long-term manner.
Milan Chokshi highlighted India’s vast potential to shape the future of the jewellery industry, especially as the sector evolves in design, retail, and consumer behaviour. He noted that institutions like IIGJ have an important role in guiding this transformation by nurturing talent and creating lasting impact.
The discussions also covered the inclusion of gold-focused modules in academic curricula, design hackathons, artisan skill development, and crafting global narratives for Indian jewellery. GJEPC underlined opportunities to elevate Indian craftsmanship worldwide through platforms such as The Artisan Awards and other innovation-driven initiatives.