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PROGRAMME overview

GLOBAL CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CONFERENCE
18th September 2017 (Monday) 9.00am – 5.00pm
Mandarin Orchard Singapore, Grand Ballroom 1, Level 6 Main Tower

iconTime iconProgramme
8.00am

Registration and Breakfast

9.00am

Welcome Address by
Mr David Gerald, Founder, President and CEO, Securities Investors Association (Singapore)

9.05am

Keynote Address by Guest of Honour
Sir Winfried Bischoff, Chairman, Financial Reporting Council, United Kingdom

9.20am

Launch of 8th Corporate Governance Week

9.25am

Dialogue on Purpose, Values and Culture in Governance

Dialogue with Sir Winfried Bischoff, Chairman, Financial Reporting Council, United Kingdom,
Moderated by Mr Melvin Yong, Country Head- Singapore, CPA Australia and Management Committee, SIAS


Purpose and Governance

Starting and surviving in today's economy is hard, but the companies that have “figured it out” have something in common: the pursuit of purpose, alongside the pursuit of profit. A purpose mobilizes people in a way that pursuing profits alone never will. For a company to thrive, it needs to infuse its purpose in all that it does. Purpose is a key ingredient for a strong, sustainable, scalable organizational culture. It's an unseen-yet-ever-present element that drives an organization. How then does purpose per mutate through the organisation? How does it affect how the company does business, manage it suppliers and customers in making sure we have a better place to live? How does it ensure its sustainability in the long run and how do you identify these companies and invest in them?

9.45am

Presentation: Sustainability & Governance

Speaker:
Mr Sunny Verghese, Co-Founder and Group CEO, Olam International Limited

10.05am

Presentation: Investing in Purpose Driven Companies

Speaker:
Ms Pru Bennett, Director Investment Stewardship, BlackRock

10.25am

Coffee Break

10.40am

Panel Discussion: Purpose, Values & Culture- How Does it Drive Governance?

Moderator:
Dr Roger Barker, Managing Director, Barker & Associates and Chairman, Global Corporate Governance Conference Advisory Council

Panelists:
Mr Sunny Verghese, Co-Founder and Group CEO, Olam International Limited
Mr Ravi Manchanda, Westpac Country Head, Singapore, Head Of Large Corporates, Infrastructure & Resources, Corporate And Institutional Banking, Asia, Westpac Banking Corporation
Mr Seah Kian Peng, CEO, NTUC Fairprice Co-operative
Dr Aditi Haldar, Director Regional Hub South Asia,Global Reporting Initiative
Ms Pru Bennett, Director Investment Stewardship, BlackRock


Values and Governance
What is values-based governance? When our behavior matches our words, that is when we know that we are acting consistently with our values. Values-based governance uses “truths” about the nature of values to drive community decision processes, particularly around complex issues where there are different perceptions and opinions, and a high degree of nuance. By impacting the board and the shareholders, corporate governance has an impact on the vision and leadership of the organization. By defining the roles of managers, it impacts the organization's culture. Corporate governance also defines stakeholder policies and the rules regarding decision making.

11.40am

Presentation: Mitigating Misconduct Risk in International Business & Case studies on Corporate Misconducts

Speaker:
Mr Héctor Lehuedé, Senior Manager, Corporate Affairs Division, OECD

12.10pm

Lunch Break

1.30pm

Panel Discussion: What is Values – based Governance?

Moderator:
Mr Loh Uantchern, CEO, Asia Pacific, Black Sun Plc

Panelists:
Mr Tay Woon Teck, Managing Director, Risk Advisory, RSM
Mr Héctor Lehuedé, Senior Manager, Corporate Affairs Division, OECD
Ms Chang Rui Hua, Head, Investor Relations & Capital Markets Compliance, CapitaLand Limited
Mr Robson Lee, Partner, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
Mr Gan Seow Ann, Divisional Vice Chairman, UBS AG


Culture and Governance
The corporate culture of an organisation is widely regarded as being crucial to its long-term success. High profile scandals at organisations like Wells Fargo, Toshiba, Volkswagen and FIFA have highlighted the crucial importance of this issue. But how can the key players involved in corporate governance – board members, investors, employees and other stakeholders - ensure that an organisation has the right kind of culture? Corporate culture is notoriously difficult to measure, reform or even define. Furthermore, in many Asian economies, local societal culture may be the overriding driver of a company's corporate culture. Nevertheless, it is increasingly seen as a core responsibility for the board of directors to oversee and shape corporate culture. How should a board connect its culture to its strategy and business purpose? How should it align culture with its reward and incentive systems (including executive pay policies)? And how should boards, shareholders and other stakeholders go about monitoring and measuring corporate culture, both amongst their senior management team and throughout the organisation? Is diversity practiced? How to build trust with stakeholders? How do boards and companies communicate with stakeholders?

2.30pm

Presentation: Stakeholder engagement – How to Build Trust

Speaker:
Ms Sallie Pilot, Chief Insight and Engagement Officer, Black Sun Plc

3.00pm

Presentation: Why Diversity Matters in the Boardroom

Speaker:
Ms Yeo Lian Sim, Special Adviser Diversity, Singapore Exchange

3.15pm

Coffee break

3.30pm

Panel Discussion: Corporate Culture - a Board Priority?

Moderator:
Dr Roger Barker, Managing Director, Barker & Associates and Chairman, Global Corporate Governance Conference Advisory Council

Panelists:
Ms Sallie Pilot, Director of Planning & Strategy, Black Sun
Dr Christine Chow, Associate Director, Hermes Equity Ownership Services Ltd
Ms Yeo Lian Sim, Special Adviser Diversity, Singapore Exchange
Dato Paul Supramaniam, Chairman, Law Asia International Lawyer

4.30pm

Closing Address
by Mr Tan Boon Gin, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Exchange Regulation

5.00pm

End of Conference

SIAS 18th Investors' Choice Awards Dinner Presentation
19th September 2017 (Tuesday) 7.00pm – 10.00pm
Mandarin Orchard Singapore, Grand Mandarin Ballroom, Level 6 Main Tower

iconTime iconProgramme
6.30pm

Arrival of Guests & Cocktail Reception

7.25pm

Guests to be seated

7.35pm

Opening Performance

7.40pm

Presentation on ICA Scorecard & Methodology

7.45pm

Arrival of Guest-of-Honour
Ms Sim Ann, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry & Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth

7.55pm

Welcome Address by SIAS
Mr David Gerald, Founder, President and CEO

8.00pm

Opening Address by Guest-of-Honour
Ms Sim Ann, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry & Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth

8.10pm

SINGAPORE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AWARD
Presentation

8.50pm

Entertainment 1

9.00pm

SINGAPORE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AWARD - GOLDEN CIRCLE AWARD
Presentation

9.05pm

SUSTAINABILITY AWARD
Presentation

9.10pm

SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS EXCELLENCE AWARD
Presentation

9.25pm

Entertainment 2

9.35pm

TRANSPARENCY AWARD - SMALL & MID CAP
Presentation

9.45pm

BEST RETAIL BROKER AWARD
Presentation

9.50pm

FINANCIAL JOURNALIST AWARD
Presentation

10.00pm

Group Photo Taking
with Guest-of-Honour & Award Winners on stage

*Programme subject to change

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE FORUMS
20th September 2017 (Wednesday) 10.30am – 5.00pm
Mandarin Orchard Singapore, Imperial Ballroom, Level 35, Orchard Wing



iconTime Forum 1: 'Comply or Explain' – Does it help investors?
10.00am

Registration and Refreshments

10.30am

Most of the corporate governance codes in various jurisdictions is not mandatory but on a 'Comply or Explain' method. Malaysia, recently have shifted from the 'Comply or Explain' method in the 2012 code to an 'Apply and Explain an Alternative' method. South Africa has moved to 'Comply and Explain' method. Investors have been skeptical about companies paying lip service to the corporate governance non prescriptive codes. Which is more effective for investors? What is the experience in other jurisdictions?

Moderator:
Dr David Smith, Head of Corporate Governance, Aberdeen Asset Management Asia Limited

Panelists:
Mr Irving Low, Head of Risk Consulting, KPMG Singapore
Ms Pru Bennett, Director, Investment Stewardship, BlackRock
Dr Roger Barker, Managing Director, Barker & Associates and Chairman, Global Corporate Governance Conference Advisory Council

12.00pm

Programme Ends

iconTime Forum 2: Corporate Culture – How do you report it?
1.00pm

Registration and Refreshments

1.30pm

Although there is no 'one size fits all' when it comes to culture, encouragingly, we are witnessing progress and this growing focus on understanding 'purpose' is helping to drive some behavioural change and long-term thinking, as many companies are finding that a 'common purpose' is helping to bind their organisations together.

This year the number of FTSE100 companies communicating their purpose in a way which explains why their company exists (which extends beyond financial terms, to focus on the wider value the organisation creates for society and other stakeholders) almost doubled to 60% from last year, as evidenced in the Black Sun annual FTSE100 research on the trends in corporate reporting.

Although less established in reporting in Singapore, there is growing recognition that for a company to thrive, it needs to infuse its purpose in all that it does.

This forum will explore the trends in culture reporting among the Singapore Straits Times Index STI30 constituents, based on the findings of Black Sun's flagship research piece “The Art and Science of Better Reporting”, as well as how companies should report on culture in their annual reports. We will also share with participants our analysis of the FTSE100 companies as to how they report on culture.

Presenters:
Mr David Christopherson, Group Chief Executive & Founding Partner, Black Sun Plc
Ms Sallie Pilot, Chief Insight and Engagement Officer, Black Sun Plc

3.00pm

Programme Ends

iconTime Forum 3: Executive Compensation - How Important are Risk-Taking Incentives?
3.00pm

Registration and Refreshments

3.30pm

The level of compensation and the extent of pay-for-performance for chief executive officers (CEOs) has been a topic of debate by all stakeholders. Critics of CEO compensation practices argue that because the board of directors is influenced by the CEO, the board does not structure the CEO's compensation package to maximize value for outside shareholders. Is there an association between the level of CEO compensation and the quality of firms' corporate governance, and whether firms with weaker governance structures have poorer future performance? What happens if the CEO is also the chair of the board? How effective are the remuneration committees in this scenario? What measures are needed to be put in place?

Moderator:
Mr David Gerald, Founder, President and CEO, Securities Investors Association Singapore (SIAS)

Panelists:
Dr Chen Xia, Lee Kong Chian Professor of Accounting, School of Accountancy, Singapore Management University
Ms Lee Su Shyan, Business Editor, The Straits Times
Dr Roger Barker, Managing Director, Barker & Associates and Chairman, Global Corporate Governance Conference Advisory Council
Mr Shai Ganu, Managing Director; Talent & Rewards Business, Willis Towers Watson

5.00pm

Programme Ends

CHARITY GOVERNANCE CONFERENCE
21st September 2017 (Thursday) 9.00am – 1.00pm
Mandarin Orchard Singapore, Grand Ballroom 1, Level 6 Main Tower

iconTime iconProgramme
8.00am

Registration and Breakfast

9.00am

Welcome Address by
Mr David Gerald, Founder, President and CEO, Securities Investors Association Singapore (SIAS)

9.05am

Opening Address by
Dr Gerard Ee, Chairman, Charity Council

9.15am

Presentation : A Closer Look on the Code of Governance for Charities and IPCs (2017)

  • Key objectives of the refined Code of Governance and what it entails for the Charities and IPCs.
  • Best practices for good governance – how charities may learn from companies.
  • Governance areas to be covered are: board renewal and succession planning, conflict of interest, disclosure of remuneration, and provide examples in adherence to the code.

Speaker:
Mr David Wong, Charity Council member; Board Member of Methodist Welfare Services; Sub-Committee for Code of Governance Refinement

9.45am

Panel Discussion: A Closer Look on the Code of Governance for Charities and IPCs (2017)

Moderator:
Mr Melvin Yong, Country Head - Singapore, CPA Australia

Panelists:
Mr David Wong, Charity Council member; Board Member of Methodist Welfare Services
Mrs Eunice Toh, Executive Director, TTSH Community Fund
Dr Gerard Ee, Chairman, Charity Council
Mr Tay Woon Teck, Managing Director, Risk Advisory, RSM

10.50am

Tea Break

11.10am

Presentation: Managing the most valuable resource – People
Human resources are important assets of the charity. The charity should have policies in place for the staff and volunteers who run its operations and programmes. Who is best to run a charity – passion or ability?

Speaker:
Ms Theresa Goh, Chairman, SATA CommHealth

11.40am

Panel Discussion: Managing the most valuable resource – People

Moderator:
Mr Mark Laudi, CEO, HongBao Media

Panelists:
Dr Fermin Diez, Deputy CEO& Group Director, Social Service Institute
Mr Ho Seng Chee, Head, Group Human Resource, CapitaLand Limited
Ms Theresa Goh, Chairman, SATA CommHealth
Ms Winifred Loh, Director, Centre for Non-Profit Leadership

12.45pm

Networking Lunch

GOVERNANCE WORKSHOP
21st September 2017 (Thursday) 2.30pm – 4.30pm
Mandarin Orchard Singapore, Ballroom 1, 2, 3, Grange
Workshops Breakout Session – Governance (concurrent)



iconTime Workshop 1: Building an Effective Charity Board
2.30pm

The refined Code of Governance for Charities & IPCs was issued by The Charity Council in April 2017. This workshop will discuss the key changes and implications, as well as future areas of interest in the continuing effort to build a stronger and more robust charity sector.

The ability of a charity to fulfil its mission and objectives is dependent on the effectiveness of its Board in guiding the charity to establish clear, robust systems and structure to manage day-to-day risks as well as aligning the charity's purpose and strategic objectives. The Board must also ensure commitment to the right values and behaviours though policies and processes, and to maintain transparency and accountability to all its stakeholders. The workshop will discuss the prevalent Board performance problems and suggest key areas for improvements.

Presenter:
Mr Sovann Giang, Senior Director, Risk Advisory, RSM

Panel Discussion:
Ms Catherine Loh, Chief Executive Officer, Community Foundation of Singapore
Mr Daniel Ang, Board Chairman, Care Corner Singapore Ltd
Mr Yeo Ando, Executive Director, Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped
Ms Wendy Loo, Deputy Director, Grant Management Division, Tote Board

4.30pm

Programme Ends

iconTime Workshop 2: Managing Social Media in the age of mobile computing
2.30pm

Social media has made everyone today a reporter – eyes on every road, and the newspaper in every smart phone. Information is now disseminated at ultra-fast pace, and sometimes broadcast live. How then do companies and charities manage this? What policies do you need to put in place? How do you manage your image and reputation online?

Moderator:
Mr Mark Laudi, CEO, HongBao Media

Panelists:
Ms Chia Hui Kheng, Managing Director, Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Ms Jeannie Ong, Chief Strategic Partnership Officer, Starhub
Mr Patrick Nathan, Vice President, Corporate Communications, SMRT Corporation

4.30pm

Programme Ends

iconTime Workshop 3: Why have Whistle-Blowing policy?
2.30pm

Whistleblowing plays an important role in helping to inform those who need to know about potential risks, problems or even criminal activities within companies or charities, allowing appropriate action to be taken to set things right. Should companies and charities have a policy on whistleblowing and how should they communicate it? What are the drawbacks of whistle blowing – What can organizations do to make employees feel comfortable raising concerns? What are the procedures to whistle blowing? How do you manage it?

Speaker:
Ms Kala Anandarajah, PBM, Partner, Head, Competition & Antitrust and Trade, Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP, Law Society

Moderator:
Mr Melvin Yong, Country Manager, CPA Australia

Panelists:
Mr Chris Ong, Chief Executive Officer, Shared Services for Charities Ltd
Ms Goh Puay Cheh, Executive Director, The Institute of Internal Auditors Singapore (IIA)
Ms Kala Anandarajah, PBM, Partner, Head, Competition & Antitrust and Trade, Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP, Law Society
Mr Ramlee Bin Buang, Founder, Uyko Advisory

4.30pm

Programme Ends

INVESTOR FORUM
22nd September 2017 (Friday) 7.30pm – 9.00pm
SGX Auditorium

Investor Forum – Governance and Performance – How to identify well run companies that perform

Investors today are more and more concerned with governance of companies. Following the 2008 Financial Crisis, it highlighted the need for investors to focus more on corporate governance. SIAS conducts research on SGX listed companies' corporate governance practices, with investor centric criteria, in collaboration with NUS CGIO annually. Gain insights into the corporate governance trends and find out which companies and industries are leading in corporate governance practices. Empirical evidence shows that companies with good corporate governance also have better performance. How can corporate governance be used as a screener for investing in companies?

Recently, with the fall in oil prices many companies in the maritime, oil and gas are faced with order cancellations and falling rates leading some to seek the protection of the courts and restructure their debt and bonds in the hope of staving off liquidation. What is the right of a bondholder in this situation? How do you reserve the value of your investment? Lawyers from Morgan Lewis Stamford will explain your rights and what bond holders can do to protect their interests. Speakers will share their views on recent cases in Singapore.

iconTime iconProgramme
7.00pm

Registration

7.30pm

Welcome Address by SIAS

7.35pm

Corporate governance assessment for Investors' Choice Awards 2017
Mr Muhammad Ibrahim, Senior Research Analyst, NUS Business School's Centre for Governance, Institutions and Organisations (CGIO)

8.00pm

Using corporate governance rating for stock selection
Mr Puah Soon Lim, Trainer, SGX Academy

8.20pm

Rights of Noteholders in a Restructuring
Mr Justin Yip, Director, Morgan Lewis Stamford LLC
Mr Lim Sin Teck, Director, Morgan Lewis Stamford LLC

9.00pm

End of Forum