Closing Remarks by Terence Quek, CEO, SID

Good morning SID Chair, SID Honorary Fellows, SID Past Chairs, SID Governing Council members, SID members, SGX Listco board chairs, distinguished partners, ladies and Gentlemen,

What a milestone day!

In one morning, we launched the SID Chairpersons Guild, and just moments before, the SID Board Academy. 

In case you missed it in Oon Jin’s speech earlier this morning, we’ve also announced several initiatives:

  • Adding Module 10 on Board Strategy Value Up to our Listed Entity Directors programme. Minister announced the “Equip Fund” by SGX. You’ll be happy to note that LED Module 10 is eligible for funding.

  • The LED Exchange for ListCo directors to come together to receive regulatory updates, peer learning and networking – similar to what we are doing with the Chairpersons Guild, we hope to build a community of practice for Listco directors;
     
  • The Advanced Global Directors Programme in partnership with Emeritus and Shanghai Jiao Tong University for director learning and networking with Chinese directors as the course will be conducted in Singapore and Shanghai;

  • The CEOExpand programme by Strategy firm GrowthCurv for practical and structured corporate strategy development involving both Board & Management; and

  • The Strategic Organisations programme by Consulting firm Aligence to help companies develop new business models using systems thinking as they transform themselves.

Each of these initiatives stem from our mission to “Empower Directors and Transform Boards” to achieve our vision that “Every Director is a Champion of Good Governance”. In today’s context, good governance cannot be just “conform”, but must include “perform and transform”.

There are many things that fuel the work of SID, but I’ll highlight 3 C’s. These 3 Cs are: Continuous Professional Development, Community, and Collaboration

As the national association for company directors, we believe that Continuous Professional Development is integral to successful directorship. We are heartened by the growing appetite in the directorship community for learning and development. The presence of so many SGX Listco Board Chairs today is a strong show, at the very top, of a commitment to continuous learning and improvement. Thank you for being the example for your fellow board members in the pursuit of continuous professional development.

The second C - Community, is what SID has been building for over 27 years. Today, our community has grown in breadth and depth. The vibrancy of our community attracts more leaders of diverse backgrounds, bringing with them different expertise and experiences, in turn, enriching our community. This forms a virtuous cycle that benefits not only the individual member, but the wider ecosystem as well. On behalf of SID, I warmly welcome all SGX Listco Board Chairs to the inaugural SID Chairpersons Guild, and for those who were not SID members before, a warm welcome to the SID community. Please make sure you officiate your complimentary SID membership. If you’re not sure how, please approach any member of my staff team. We’ll be happy to assist. 

The third C - Collaboration - is what enables SID to develop and offer so many programmes. We had then-Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong launch the SID Governance for Good Alliance right here in this auditorium three years ago with 105 founding partners, and just last FY, we counted working with 358 partners to deliver more than 150 thought leadership, professional development and ecosystem initiatives and events. Without the trust, goodwill and support from all our partners, there can be no Collaboration, and without Collaboration, it would have been very challenging for SID to achieve our mission.

Which brings me to the SID Chairpersons Guild. There are many organisations and individuals whose strong partnership and collaboration have been instrumental in getting us here today. 

I would like to highlight the five Advisory Panel members for their guidance and ideas to help us shape the programme, to ensure it will be valuable to SGX Listco Board Chairs. Mr Cheng Wai Keung, Ms Euleen Goh and Ms Penny Goh - thank you for being so gracious with your energy and time, and for backing the programme. Mr Koh Boon Hwee and Mr Ho Kwon Ping are unable to join us this morning, but we thank them too.

Our three Knowledge Partners - Heidrick and Struggles, McKinsey and Company, UBS. Your partnership helps us pitch this programme at the highest level possible. Thank you for so readily stepping forward, for tapping into your global network and resources to benefit the SGX Listco Board Chairs with your expert insights and international perspectives.

Our friends and colleagues at the Monetary Authority of Singapore and SGX Group for your guidance and support, not just for the Chairpersons Guild, but for many of our initiatives since the inception of the Institute. 

Finally, our SID community of Honorary Fellows, Governing Council members - past and present, and SID members. Your ideas, energy and resources over the years have laid a strong foundation upon which my team and I can build many new programmes. 

As we close the formalities for this morning’s event, I look forward to all of you continuing your learning, being part of this vibrant community, and collaborating to increase and unlock the value of your organisations.

Thank you.