Building Trust
through Effective
Corporate governance
Navigating Legal, Ethical
and Social Challenges
Corporate Governance Conference
Programme 2023
6th November
6th November 2023 | Monday | 10.00am – 5.00pm | Parkroyal Marina Bay, Garden Ballroom
Theme: “Building Trust through Effective Corporate Governance: Navigating Legal, Ethical and Social Challenges”
In a challenging and uncertain economic environment, trust is a vital component of any successful business relationship and it is especially critical in the context of corporate governance. In recent years, numerous high-profile scandals and controversies have eroded public trust in corporations and their leadership. The recent bank collapses in US and Europe have caused major concerns of another financial crisis. These events have underscored the need for effective corporate governance practices to help companies rebuild and maintain stakeholder trust.
Topics that will be covered include:
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The importance of transparency and accountability in corporate governance -
The role of corporate social responsibility in building trust with stakeholders
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Strategies for managing conflicts of interest and ensuring ethical decision-making
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The impact of regulatory frameworks on corporate governance and trust
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The role of technology in enhancing transparency and accountability
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The importance of effective communication and stakeholder engagement in building trust
Participants in this conference will gain valuable insights into the complex interplay between trust and corporate governance, as well as practical strategies for strengthening trust with key stakeholders. The conference will bring together academics, practitioners, policymakers, and other experts to share their perspectives and experiences, and to engage in lively discussions and debates on these important issues.
Time
Programme
Time
9.00am
Programme
Registration and light breakfast for in-person delegates
Time
10.00am
Programme
Welcome Address
Mr David Gerald
Founder, President and CEO
SIAS
Time
10.10am
Programme
Opening Address by Guest-of-Honour
Mr Ravi Menon
Managing Director,
Monetary Authority of Singapore
Time
10.30am
Programme
Launch of Corporate Governance Week 2023
Time
10.40am
Programme
Fireside Chat
Trust is crucial in a board environment to promote transparency and accountability. Without trust, which is underpinned by personal integrity, there are gaps in oversight and information flow, resulting in decision-making failure.
Trust touches every area of business. Research published by Harvard Business Review bears this out -workers at companies with high trust report 106% greater energy in the office, 74% lower stress levels, 76% greater engagement and 50% more productivity than their peers at low-trust businesses.
How then, do companies and boards build trust with their stakeholders? How does corporate culture play a role in developing trust? How can the OECD Principles of Corporate Governance be the foundation for driving trust?
Prof Kishore Mahbubani
Distinguished Fellow,
Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore
Moderator
Mr Melvin Yong
Honorary Treasurer, SIAS and
Singapore Country Head, CPA Australia
Time
11.00am
Programme
Coffee Break
Time
11.20am
Programme
Panel Discussion 1
Moderator
Dr Roger Barker
Director of Policy and Corporate Governance,
Institute of Directors (IoD), UK
Panellists
Ms June Sim
Managing Director,
Head of Listing Compliance,
SGXRegCo
Mr Teo Ser Luck
President,
ISCA
Mr Sunil Puri
Senior Vice President,
Research & Engagement, Stewardship Asia Centre
Ms Theresa Goh
Chairperson,
Charity Council
Time
12.30pm
Programme
Lunch Break
Time
1.45pm
Programme
Presentation 2
The board’s role in driving technology and building trust is critical in today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving business environment. Boards are responsible for overseeing the organisation’s strategic direction, including adopting new technologies that can enhance performance and build trust with stakeholders. With the Tech effect (e.g. AI and Analytics, Automation, Cloud, Cyber Security, Emerging Tech, and Innovation), what is the discussion in the boardroom?
One of the key roles of the board in driving technology is to ensure that the organisation has the necessary resources and expertise to adopt and implement new technologies. This may involve working closely with the executive team to develop a technology roadmap, identifying key areas where technology can be leveraged to enhance performance and build trust. How is the board ensuring that the organisation keeps up with emerging trends and best practices in technology? Who is responsible for managing technology-related risk? How are boards and organisations setting policies and procedures around data privacy and security? Who oversees the implementation of robust cybersecurity measures and ensures that the organisation has a comprehensive disaster recovery plan? What is the role of the board?
Correspondingly, how are boards preparing for the digitalisation of shareholder meetings? How do organisations adopt a hybrid model allowing for greater shareholder participation?
Ultimately, the board’s role in driving technology and building trust is essential in today’s business environment. By ensuring that the organisation has the necessary resources and expertise, staying informed about emerging trends and best practices, managing technology-related risks, and promoting a culture of innovation and agility, the board can help to build trust with stakeholders and position the organisation for long-term success.
Speaker
Professor of Business & Financial Law,
Tilburg University, Department of Business Law
and Senior Legal Counsel, Signify, Netherlands
Time
2.10pm
Programme
Panel Discussion 2
Moderator
Mr Cameron Whittfield
Partner,
Herbert Smith Freehills
Panellists
Prof Erik Vermeulen
Professor of Business & Financial Law,
Tilburg University, Department of Business Law
and Senior Legal Counsel, Signify, Netherlands
Ms Jenny Tan
President,
ISACA Singapore Chapter
Mr Lyon Poh
Partner, Advisory,
KPMG Singapore
Mr Matej Drašček
Director of Finance,
LON d.d.
Time
3.20pm
Programme
Presentation 3
The ESG landscape is constantly evolving, and there are a variety of emerging requirements and trends that companies should be aware of. The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) issued its inaugural uniform global standards- IFRS S1 and IFRS S2 on 26 June 2023, ushering in a new era of sustainability-related disclosures in capital markets worldwide.
The ISSB builds upon the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations and incorporates industry-based disclosure requirements derived from SASB Standards. Governments worldwide are increasingly implementing new ESG regulations that companies must comply with. In Singapore, ACRA and SGX launched a public consultation on adopting mandatory climate-related disclosure requirements in line with IFRS S1 and IFR S2. The consultation closed on 30 September 2023. The European Union has introduced the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), which requires financial market participants to disclose how they integrate sustainability risks into their investment decision-making process.
Speaker
Ms Pru Bennett
Partner,
Brunswick Group
Time
3.45pm
Programme
Panel Discussion 3
Moderator
Mr Tay Woon Teck
Senior Advisor,
RSM Singapore
Panellists
Professor of Business & Financial Law,
Tilburg University, Department of Business Law
and Senior Legal Counsel, Signify, Netherlands
Ms Fang Eu Lin
Partner,
Sustainability and Climate Change Practice Leader,
Asia Pacific Centre for Sustainability Excellence Lead,
PwC Singapore
Ms Pru Bennett
Partner,
Brunswick Group
Dr Roger Barker
Director of Policy and Corporate Governance,
Institute of Directors (IoD), UK
