Jan Schwalbe, Editor-in-chief, Finanz und Wirtschaft

The financial markets have become ever more globalised over the last few years. Even Swiss companies are increasingly choosing foreign financial centres for an IPO. Has Switzerland ceased to serve as a financial hotspot?

No. Some companies which have chosen the USA for their IPO are now noticing that they are only one amongst many over there and that it is difficult for them to attract attention. But the SIX really has to make an effort to prevent the next On Holding from going to the USA again.

At the end of last year, the SIX paved the way for listing and trading of SPACs (Special Purpose Acquisition Companies). A long overdue development or an attempt to not lose connection with international financial markets?

That remains to be seen. The start of the first Swiss SPAC was a success. I’m curious to see what happens next. But at the end of the day, the whole process definitely took too long.

Corporate communications in listed companies are controlled increasingly by external communications consultants and often even by lawyers. As a journalist, do you still have access to the relevant information?

Access still exists. But yes, it hasn’t necessarily got any easier to get unfiltered direct quotes

Are PR agencies a curse or a blessing for you as a journalist?

Both. On the one hand, they save us work when it comes to contact details and information. On the other hand, the information is of course often somewhat filtered.

What are your earliest memories of IRF?

My memory of that is a bit fuzzy. But I do remember one or the other meeting at Bellevue, where the goal was to redefine somewhat hardened positions with constructive talks and good arguments.

What would you like to see from the PR consulting sector?

Ultimately, critical coverage is everything – not just for the journalist, but also for a company, because only then is it possible to appreciate the major milestones of a company. That should always be at the top of the agenda.

Which public figure would you like to interview one day?

Mark Zuckerberg