Driving governance forward

Dear Members,

FY2024-2025 has been a fulfilling year for the Institute – a year of progress, partnerships and purpose. From crossing the 5,000-member milestone to launching the Chairperson Accelerator programme, submitting the Singapore Budget 2025 proposal and establishing new networks like the Workplace Wellness Network – your support has made all of this possible. 

We are truly grateful to our members, partners and volunteers for the dedication and energy that you’ve brought to our collective mission.

Momentum is building

Since its launch in May 2024, the SID Director Accreditation programme has gained strong traction, with over 1,500 directors now accredited – that’s one in every three SID members. These directors are leading by example and raising the bar for governance excellence.

• Meet some of the accredited directors.
• Watch our journey so far.
  

We are excited to announce that the Mastering Board Governance programme by IMD now forms part of our SID Accreditation Qualification Pathway – joining other programmes such as the SID-SMU Directorship programme and SID-INSEAD International Directors programme. SID members enjoy special rates for the courses.

Congratulations to our graduates of the Chairperson Accelerator programme, where we seek to prepare experienced directors for the unique responsibilities of leading boards and committees effectively. The next cohort begins in October – stay tuned for details!

Targeted at different stages of a director’s journey, SID’s professional development courses reflect our mission to build a strong pipeline of future-ready board leaders who can uphold the highest standards of corporate governance and stewardship in Singapore and beyond.

A heartfelt thank you to all our players and sponsors for your support and participation at the SID Golf Tournament held last month (see below). We are looking forward to celebrating a special milestone together at the 25th edition of the tournament on 22 May 2026! 

Your voice and commitment matters

As we chart our course ahead, your input is invaluable. If you have not yet completed the SID Membership Survey 2025, please take 5 minutes (before 6 July 2025) to share your views via the link sent to your email.

We also continue to celebrate the commitment of our members through commemorative milestone pins – a small gesture with big meaning. This year, we are introducing new 15-year and 25-year pins. Thank you for being part of our journey.



Forward, upward, outward

July 2025 marks the start of SID’s new three-year blueprint with these broad strategies:

• Forward – Strengthening our thought leadership as the trusted voice of directors.
  
• Upward – Raising standards in governance and board performance.
  
• Outward – Bringing global knowledge and insights to our directors. 
  

Members can look forward to more cutting-edge content, expanded learning opportunities and global collaborations designed to empower and inspire. 

Looking ahead 

As we gear up to prepare our proposal for Singapore Budget 2026, we are once again partnering with KPMG in Singapore – and we want your ideas. Click here to contribute and help shape the future of business and governance in Singapore.

Registration is now open for SGOOD 2.0, our refreshed Governance for Outstanding Organisation Directors programme designed to empower current and aspiring board members of nonprofits. SGOOD 2.0 is now recognised under the SGX RegCo Listed Entity Director (LED) Bridging Pathway, as an alternative to completing the full LED programme. 

SID NonProfit Members can enjoy special rates with the SGOOD Corporate Package (10 subscriptions). Not a member yet? You can save more with the new SGOOD X SID NonProfit Membership Bundle.

Explore our other upcoming events and programmes below.

Stay ahead in your directorship journey, and stay connected.

HIGHLIGHTS

Listed Entity Director Programme
15 – 23 July 2025 | PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay

The Listed Entity Director (LED) Programme is a pre-requisite course supported by the Singapore Exchange for first-time appointees on boards of listed companies. This flagship programme by SID is delivered in-person with updated case studies. For a limited time only, complete all core and optional modules in one year and get a waiver of accreditation exam fees. Plus, receive a set of Corporate Governance Guides for Boards when you complete all 9 modules by the end of this year.

SID Director Accreditation Exam (for members only)
1 – 31 August 2024 | Online (Remote Proctoring)

The SID Director Accreditation programme establishes standards for director competencies and ensures directors stay relevant through continuous professional development. To be accredited, members have to complete at least 32 hours of formal directorship training and pass the SID Director Accreditation Exam administered online. The exam covers the eight areas of boardroom competencies outlined in the Director Competency Model.

Registration ends 31 July 2025.

Sentinel or Sleuth: Directors’ Duties Amid Corporate Fraud
14 July 2025 | 9.30am – 12.30pm | PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay

The appellate court’s decision to clear former company director Dr Goh Jin Hian of liability for US$146 million (S$187 million) in losses is a landmark ruling. While Dr Goh breached his duty of care, the court ruled that the company failed to prove his actions caused the losses. Join the Senior Counsel who successfully argued Dr Goh’s appeal, Thio Shen Yi, who will outline the key aspects of the case and lessons for boards. He will lead a panel discussion to explore the judgement’s implications for directors’ legal duties, personal liability and corporate governance. Legal experts and governance professionals weigh in on the broader ramifications for boardroom accountability and risk management practices.

Board Leadership in Action
26 August 2025 | 9.00am – 5.00pm | Amara Singapore

Effective board leadership demands more than oversight – it requires clarity, presence and the ability to influence without authority. This programme is designed for directors ready to sharpen their leadership impact in the boardroom. Delivered in partnership with Heidrick & Struggles, the session centres on a board simulation exercise modelled on real-world governance challenges. Participants will navigate complex scenarios, negotiate difficult boardroom conversations and practise high-stakes decision-making under pressure. Facilitated feedback and peer exchange will help participants reflect on their leadership style and strengthen their ability to guide boardroom dynamics.

Listed Entity Director Programme (Mandarin)
2 – 11 September 2025 | 1.00pm – 5.00pm | Online Webcast

The Listed Entity Director (LED) Programme is supported by the Singapore Exchange. It is a pre-requisite course for first-time appointees on boards of listed companies, to equip them with the skills and knowledge to execute their roles as directors effectively. The focus is on the range of regulatory, compliance and corporate governance matters of listed companies in Singapore. This Mandarin version of the core LED modules is designed for senior management and board directors who are fluent in Mandarin.

SID Directors Conference 2025
12 September 2025 | 9.30am – 5.30pm
Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre

Get ready for the premier annual gathering of board leaders and corporate governance champions. Set against a backdrop of shifting geopolitics, dynamic trade relations and changing demographics, the SID Directors Conference on Transformational Directorship: Purpose, Practice, Performance, Progress features distinguished speakers and industry experts who will delve into the multifaceted challenges facing boards and directors as they help their organisations transform and adapt to the evolving business landscape and create value for their stakeholders.

Early Bird Registration ends 20 July 2025.

SGOOD 2.0 – Governance for Outstanding Organisation Directors Programme
20 November 2025 | 9.00am – 6.00pm
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay

Developed by SID in collaboration with the National Council of Social Service, the SGOOD 2.0 Programme equips current and aspiring board members of nonprofit organisations with the tools and insights to lead effectively in an evolving governance landscape. Participants will have online access to e-Learning modules (16 hours) until 30 June 2026, and are required to attend the full-day (8 hours) in-person session on 20 November 2025. SID NonProfit Members enjoy special rates with the SGOOD corporate package and non-members can save more with the SGOOD x NonProfit Membership Bundle.

SID Directors Bulletin
Dysfunctional Boards: Insights from Ho Kwon Ping

In an exclusive interview, Ho Kwon Ping, Founder and Executive Chairman of Banyan Tree Holdings, shares his candid insights on the inner workings of dysfunctional boards. Drawing from decades of boardroom experience, he defines dysfunction as toxic dynamics driven by mistrust, political manoeuvring and personal agendas. Effective governance can be strengthened by board diversity, professional development and thoughtful board evaluations, with the Chair playing an important role in fostering open dialogue and mutual respect.

Boardroom Matters
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The election of US President Donald Trump has empowered the anti-DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) movement. US companies are delaying their impact reports and some companies have reacted by scrubbing DEI and ESG (environmental, social and governance)-related words from public documents. Boards now face a delicate balancing act: do too little and risk alienating progressive stakeholders, or do too much and provoke backlash from others. Willie Cheng considers the good, the bad and the ugly of DEI, and what it means for business leaders in Singapore.

SID Golf Tournament 2025
13 June 2025

The SID annual Golf Tournament was held at the Sentosa Golf Club on a balmy Friday afternoon. Enthusiastic players and supporters gathered bright and early to connect with acquaintances old and new. The full-day event ended with a networking dinner where guests were treated to a delicious spread and lucky draw prizes. Seah Kian Peng, Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore, graced the occasion as guest-of-honour.

PARTNERS’ HIGHLIGHTS

National Business Survey 2025: Manpower & Wages
Singapore Business Federation
Take the survey by 11 July 2025

Global Study on First Board Appointment
IMD, Northeastern University
Take the survey by 15 July 2025

ASEAN Corporate Governance Conference & Awards
ASEAN Capital Markets Forum, ADB
24 July 2025 | Four Seasons Hotel, Kuala Lumpur

Ideas to Assets: Innovating In Times of Change
Intellectual Property Office of Singapore
26-27 August 2025 | Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Singapore
SID members rate: $700 (Promo code: IPWSID)

 Copyright (C) 2025 Singapore Institute of Directors. All rights reserved.

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