Forward, Upward and Outward

Dear Members,

As we begin the new year, our thanks go out to all of you for supporting us in advancing SID’s mission throughout 2025. Together, we strengthened governance standards, broadened director development and deepened engagement across our community. Explore our 2025 highlights here.

Looking ahead, SID is excited to go Forward, Upward and Outward with a comprehensive calendar of programmes, events and thought leadership to support directors at every stage of their directorship journey.

Shaping the governance agenda

The year opened with a press conference on our Singapore Budget 2026 recommendations, developed in collaboration with KPMG in Singapore. Thank you for your valuable contributions. Read the joint proposal here. 

Our annual Audit and Risk Committee Seminar on 20 January will examine how boards can strengthen integrity, accountability and transparency in an increasingly complex business landscape. This event is jointly organised with ACRA and SGX RegCo. 

On 28 January, members will have the opportunity to attend a closed-door dialogue with Jeffrey Siow, Acting Minister for Transport and Senior Minister of State for Finance. The session will provide updates on the Economic Strategy Review and Singapore Budget 2026.

Our first current topic webinar of the year, Scaling AI with ISO 42001, will explore how boards can oversee artificial intelligence responsibly using the new Singapore Standard. This event is complimentary for members.

For those not yet accredited, join the online preview session of the Accreditation Exam on 6 February to learn more. Hear from accredited directors on what the credential means to them, and sign up for our upcoming Accreditation Exam which opens for registration on 12 January.
 
Preparing for directorship

Registration for our Build Your Path to Board Directorship workshop is closing soon. The full-day course provides an immersive experience to help participants uncover their purpose for being a director, with insights from experienced directors.

Strengthen your competencies with our foundational courses. Board and Director Fundamentals provides a broad-based understanding of directors’ duties, responsibilities and liabilities. Director Financial Reporting Fundamentals covers essential accounting knowledge and practical tools to review company financial statements.

SID will also host a preview of our refreshed Board Readiness Programme 2.0. This nine-month programme prepares senior executives and professionals for board directorship positions, combining in-person and online training with mentorship, board simulation and networking opportunities. 

Advancing board leadership

Registration for the Listed Entity Director Bridging Programme closes tomorrow. This 15-hour hybrid course enables graduates of four approved directorship programmes to meet SGX RegCo’s mandatory training requirements for first-time directors. Or sign up for the full Listed Entity Director Programme that equips new and aspiring directors for board appointments on listed companies. Register by 31 January for the March 2026 intake and get a 10% discount. Check out our other promotions here.

The Chairperson Accelerator Programme begins in February. Jointly delivered with Heidrick & Struggles, this advanced course helps aspiring and first time chairs understand the complexities in managing diverse perspectives and driving board performance. 

SID and INSEAD will host a preview of the International Directors Programme at the INSEAD Campus. Beginning in June, this programme leads to SID Accredited Director status.

Limited seats remain for the upcoming in-person session of our Governance for Outstanding Organisation Directors (SGOOD) 2.0 Programme created for board leaders in the nonprofit sector. 

Complimentary board listings

All organisations, including non-members, are encouraged to use our board listing service to support their director search and board renewal needs. SID’s trusted pool of board-ready directors can help you build stronger, more effective boards. Until 30 June 2026, we are offering complimentary board listings (limited to one per organisation). 

SID Corporate Members will continue to receive four complimentary board listings per year. 

We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming programmes and events, and to building better boards together. Stay connected. 

Wishing you a happy new year and a purposeful start to 2026.

HIGHLIGHTS

Audit and Risk Committee Seminar 2026
Strengthening Governance in an Age of Complexity
20 January 2026 | 9.15am – 12.00pm | PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay

In today’s turbulent world and intelligent age, trust is the cornerstone for sustainable business. This seminar examines how boards, especially audit and risk committees, can steer companies in strengthening integrity, accountability and transparency to build trust with stakeholders. Key themes include redefining “Trust 2.0”, embedding a culture of trust across the organisation, and reinforcing confidence in corporate governance and financial reporting.

Closed-door dialogue with Jeffrey Siow, Acting Minister for Transport and Senior Minister of State for Finance
(Complimentary, for members only)
28 January 2026 | 2.00pm – 4.00pm | Capital Tower Auditorium

As Singapore enters its next chapter beyond SG60, how will it navigate a new world order to maintain its position as a trusted global financial hub? In this closed-door dialogue with Jeffrey Siow, Acting Minister for Transport and Senior Minister of State for Finance, SID members will have the opportunity to get updates on how the Economic Strategy Review is working to strengthen Singapore’s global competitiveness. SID council member Kay Pang will moderate a dialogue with the Minister on the Singapore Budget 2026.

Listed Entity Director Bridging Programme
15 January 2026 | In-person session

The SID Listed Entity Director (LED) Bridging Programme is an abridged LED course that enables first-time directors to meet mandatory training requirements for listed companies. Endorsed by Singapore Exchange, the course combines self-directed e-Learning (until 26 January 2026), compulsory assessment (1 to 28 February 2026) and an in-person facilitated discussion on 15 January 2026. This abridged LED course offers graduates of four approved directorship programmes (BRP, SGOOD, SDP, IDP) an alternative to taking the full LED programme.

Board and Director Fundamentals
4 February 2026 | 9.00am – 6.00pm | Amara Hotel

This introductory course provides a broad-based understanding of what a corporate director needs to know with regards to their duties, responsibilities and liabilities, and how they can be effective as a director. Designed for directors of companies incorporated under the Companies Act in Singapore, this includes directors of commercial companies and those nonprofit organisations incorporated as Companies Limited by Guarantee.

Director Financial Reporting Fundamentals
25 February 2026 | 9.00am – 6.00pm | Amara Hotel

Designed for directors with limited or no financial/accounting background, this course provides essential accounting knowledge and practical tips. It equips participants with the key tools and concepts to review company financial statements and stay up-to-date on good financial practices. Participants will learn how to perform high-level reviews of financial statements and undertake financial reporting and filing.

Listed Entity Director Programme
9 – 20 March 2026 | Online Webcast

The Listed Entity Director (LED) Programme is a prerequisite course supported by the Singapore Exchange for first-time appointees on boards of listed companies. It seeks to equip participants with the skills and knowledge to execute their duties as directors effectively. Sign up now for our flagship director training course that covers the key competencies expected of a board member. Participants receive a complimentary Corporate Governance Guidebook with every registration. Online and in-person schedules are available, check here for dates.

Register by 31 January 2026 for early bird rates.

SID Directors Bulletin
Geopolitics in a Multipolar World

In a rapidly shifting multipolar world, geopolitical risk has become a permanent boardroom concern. Trade shocks, tariffs and policy volatility are disrupting supply chains and rendering traditional strategies inadequate. Boards must move beyond passive monitoring to actively integrate geopolitical foresight into strategy, risk management and decision-making, says Simon Tay. Those that build resilience through diversification, contingency planning and trusted partnerships will gain a decisive advantage amid persistent global uncertainty.

SID Boardroom Matters
The Changing Face of Directorships

Rachel Eng highlights how modern directorship has evolved into a far more demanding role, with greater responsibility, risk and scrutiny. Directors must now address complex issues such as sustainability, cyber security and regulation, while balancing profit with purpose. Board effectiveness depends on diverse skills, strong culture and independent thinking, she notes. Prospective directors must exercise rigorous due diligence to avoid legal, reputational and governance risks.

PARTNERS’ AND MEMBERS’ HIGHLIGHTS

National Business Survey 2025: Scaled Internationally Edition
Singapore Business Federation
Take the survey by 16 January 2026

SID Technology & Digital Pulse Survey
SID Tech and Digital Committee
Take the survey by 23 January 2026
 
Exercise SG Ready 2026
Nexus, Mindef and Singapore Business Federation
1 – 15 February 2026

Community Marketplace
VolunteerInc, Tasek and SGCares
5 February 2026 | 10.00am – 12.30pm

APAC Leadership Congress
Singapore Corporate Counsel Association
8 – 9 April 2026 | One Farrer Hotel, Singapore
Complimentary for SID members (code: SIDMEMBER)

 Copyright (C) 2026 Singapore Institute of Directors. All rights reserved.

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