Shaping Transformational Directorship

Dear Members,

From the buzz of the SID Directors Conference to the gala celebration at the Singapore Corporate Awards, September was charged with inspiration, insights and innovation.

SID Directors Conference 2025

The 16th SID Directors Conference brought together over 900 participants and 76 speakers to explore what transformational directorship truly means. Guest-of-Honour Chee Hong Tat, Minister for National Development and Deputy Chair of MAS, called on directors to be catalysts for value creation. He announced the launch of the SID Chairpersons Guild, a new initiative to build a micro-community of board chairs from listed companies.

Keynote speaker Ravi Menon, Singapore’s ambassador for climate action, reaffirmed Singapore’s commitment to sustainability, and urged boards to start preparing to mitigate their climate risks and capture green economy opportunities. SID also conferred an Honorary Fellowship on Ho Ching, Chair of Temasek Trust, for her contributions to corporate governance and stewardship.

The afternoon featured 12 panels across four interactive zones – Purpose, Practice, Performance and Progress. SID also hosted the annual meeting of the Global Network of Director Institutes for the first time in Singapore and organised the inaugural Global Directors Exchange, welcoming 60 overseas guests from 31 countries.

Celebrating governance excellence

We marked 20 years of the Singapore Corporate Awards, jointly organised by SID, ISCA, and The Business Times, and supported by ACRA and SGX Group. Congratulations to all award winners and a big thank you to all our partners who have shaped this journey.

Building board capabilities

To strengthen SME board governance and leadership, SID signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Singapore Chinese Chamber Institute of Business. This partnership will launch the SME Board and Leadership Training Framework in 2026, delivered in Mandarin, to equip SME board leaders with governance foundations and practical skills.

SID also celebrated 132 graduates from the SID-SMU Directorship Programme. Thirty-six earned the Board Executive Certificate, 30 received the Accredited Diploma, and 66 achieved both. For those ready to advance, the LED Bridging Programme and Accreditation Qualification Pathway are the next steps.

At the SID Nominating and Remuneration Committee Seminar 2025, over 130 directors explored how nominating and remuneration committees must evolve to meet today’s complex risk landscape. Key takeaways: independence is contextual, culture must be measured and director liability is rising faster than pay.

What’s ahead

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Institute will take place on 16 October following the SID Corporate Governance Roundup, which returns with a power-packed lineup of speakers and timely topics. This annual session is your go-to refresher on key developments in corporate governance and directorship, and what’s ahead in 2026.

On 24 October, the NRC Masterclass offers a high-impact, closed-door forum for board members and governance professionals. Topics include board composition, performance evaluation, CEO remuneration and succession planning.

Get ready for the Singapore Directorship Report 2025. Now in its sixth edition, this comprehensive benchmarking report produced in collaboration with Deloitte, Handshakes and SIT offers fresh insights into board renewal, board diversity, directorship tenure, remuneration disclosures and multiple directorships. Join us for the launch event on 4 November.

For aspiring and first-time chairs, the Chairperson Accelerator Programme (CAP), jointly delivered with Heidrick & Struggles, equips leaders to bring out the best of their boards. Explore perspectives from experienced chairs and reflections from past participants and register interest for our next cohort –  www.sid.org.sg/cap.

For those preparing to take on a board role in a listed company, the Listed Entity Director Programme supported by the SGX Group offers a structured pathway to board readiness. The next run takes place from 8 to 15 October with a limited-time offer valid until 31 December so don’t miss it.

SID has launched Lifetime Membership for members aged 70 and above (who have maintained at least 20 years of continuous membership) to recognise their enduring commitment and valued contributions to the directorship community.

And finally, the SID Annual Report 2025 is now available, spotlighting our impact, initiatives and future direction.

Let’s continue to lead with purpose, champion transformation and govern with clarity. Stay connected!

HIGHLIGHTS

SID Corporate Governance Roundup
16 October 2025 | 9.00am – 11.00am | Marina One West Tower

The annual Corporate Governance Roundup offers a quick refresher on the key developments in corporate governance and directorship over the past year, while also providing a forward look at emerging trends for 2026. Highlights include insights into how directors may run into difficulties, evolving regulatory and enforcement directions, and the pressing issues shaping Singapore’s boardrooms. The session will feature presentations by SID Council members, experienced directors and corporate governance practitioners.

Note: Registration for SID Annual General Meeting (open to SID members only) starts at 11.00am.

NRC Masterclass
24 October 2025 | 2.00pm – 6.00pm | Frasers Tower

The SID Nominating and Remuneration Committee (NRC) Masterclass is a four-hour, high-impact, closed-door forum exclusively for board members serving on nominating and remuneration committees, and professionals who work on governance issues related to the evolving responsibilities of NRCs. Speakers from SID’s NRCC and professional partners will share insights on succession planning, board and executive remuneration, and global best practices. Using case studies, attendees will be guided to explore practical scenarios on succession, remuneration and the role of the NRC. 

Transformation: Body and Mind (Complimentary for members)
24 October 2025 | 4.30pm – 6.30pm | The Arts House

SID showcases the inaugural solo exhibition of Grace Chew, featuring works from oil to Chinese paintings and calligraphy. Experience art where Eastern and Western traditions meet to celebrate life, nature and personal journeys. Then join us for a panel discussion: The Art of Enterprise: Leveraging creativity for strategic innovation in the boardroom. In bridging the gap between executive decision-making and creative problem-solving, we explore enablers of innovative leadership, risk-taking and adaptability amid uncertainty.

Launch of the Singapore Directorship Report 2025
4 November 2025 | 10.00am – 12.45pm | SGX Centre Auditorium

Join us at the launch of the Singapore Directorship Report 2025 – the definitive study conducted on the state of directorship in Singapore. Board renewal, board diversity, directorship tenure and remuneration disclosures are some of the hot button issues that will be examined. This 6th edition of the Report analyses data collected from all listed entities and assesses the impact of regulatory changes on board composition and practices. The Singapore Directorship Report 2025 is produced by SID, in collaboration with Deloitte, Handshakes and Singapore Institute of Technology, and is supported by ACRA and SGX Group.

Participants will receive the Singapore Directorship Report 2025* 
*Priced at S$90 (SID members)/S$150 (non-members)

SID Directors Bulletin
Talent Revolution: Are We Ready for What’s Next

Singapore’s workforce faces disruption from AI, automation, and demographic shifts, requiring new career models and agile talent strategies. Businesses must prioritise “career health”, fostering resilience, lifelong learning, and diverse pathways, says Dilys Boey. Individuals, employers, and policymakers share responsibility for rethinking careers, embracing skills-first practices, and building adaptable, purpose-driven workforces that sustain competitiveness and drive long-term growth. 

SID Directors Bulletin
The People Paradox

As stewards of their companies, boards have a critical role in monitoring, protecting, and enhancing the value of human capital. Companies may say that “people are our greatest asset”, yet human capital sits on the expense line, not the balance sheet, says Shai Ganu. Boards must treat human capital as a strategic asset. With intangibles driving corporate value, effective governance now demands focus on talent, culture and wellbeing. Singapore boards lag in this area, underscoring the urgency to build competencies in human capital governance to sustain competitiveness, transformation and long-term organisational success.

SID Directors Conference 2025
12 September 2025

The SID Directors Conference 2025 on Transformational Directorship highlighted how boards must adapt in an era of disruption, AI, climate change and shifting stakeholder expectations. Directors were urged to consider their organisations’ Purpose, Practice, Performance and Progress – to align purpose with performance, embrace digital resilience, steward human capital and foster trust. The conference underscored transformational directorship as the path to resilient, future-ready and people-centred organisations.

Singapore Corporate Awards 2025
1 September 2025

The 20th Singapore Corporate Awards honoured 26 companies and six leaders for governance excellence, transparency and investor engagement. Guest-of-honour Minister Edwin Tong highlighted strong governance as key to Singapore’s trust as a global hub. DBS dominated with five wins, including Best Managed Board, while other winners included UOB, OCBC, Hong Leong Asia, and CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust.

PARTNERS’ HIGHLIGHTS

UNGCNS Summit 2025
Global Compact Network Singapore
8 October 2025 | 9.00am – 6.00pm | Equarius Hotel, Resorts World Sentosa

Singapore APEX Corporate Sustainability Awards
Global Compact Network Singapore
9 October 2025 | 6.00pm – 9.00pm | Equarius Hotel, Resorts World Sentosa

IIA Conference 2025
The Institute of Internal Auditors
9 October 2025 | 8.00am – 6.00pm | One Farrer Hotel
10% off for SID members (email [email protected])

RICS-REDAS Conference 2025
RICS and REDAS
16 October 2025 | 9.00am – 5.00pm | Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
SID members rate: $343 (register as Member of Supporting Organisation)

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

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