INSEAD Directors Forum - Recalibrating Governance in a Dynamic Era
INSEAD Directors Forum - Recalibrating Governance in a Dynamic Era
Overview
In the face of increasing volatility and complexity in today's business context, organisations face an array of challenges stemming from geopolitical tensions, shifts in economic power, the transformative impact of artificial intelligence and sustainability and the increasing regulatory pressures, among other factors.
This dynamic landscape exposes businesses to continual changes and a multitude of risks and opportunities. Navigating this requires adaptability, foresight, and a strategic approach to risk management and innovation. Against this backdrop, boards of directors hold the responsibility to steward their organisations effectively and to take a forward-looking stand to recalibrate their governance model and adapt their strategies in a fast-changing world.
Organised by the INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre, with the support from INSEAD Directors Network (IDN), the flagship INSEAD Directors Forum on the theme “Recalibrating Governance in A Dynamic Era” will take place on 25-26 April 2025, INSEAD Asia Campus in Singapore. The Forum will address the outlook on the geopolitical and macroeconomic landscape and map out some of the opportunities ahead and risks while putting the spotlight on artificial intelligence, sustainability and corporate voice. We will then address the infrastructures and practices for effective governance including the nuances that may differ across diverse ownership structures, framework for crisis management and the leverage of human-AI ensembles for decision-making.
Join us as we bring to you an exciting line-up of speakers, plenary and panel sessions. Whether you are looking to receive your INSEAD Certificate in Corporate Governance, seeking new perspectives on corporate governance strategies and practices, the Forum promises unparalleled opportunities for learning, group work, exchange and networking with peers, academic faculty and experts on campus and dinner on Friday evening, 25 April to celebrate the Award Ceremony for newly certified directors.
Agenda
The agenda is tentative and subject to changes. Be sure to check it regularly for updates.
DAY 1 - Friday, 25 April 2025
| 8:15 - 8:45 | RegistrationINSEAD Main Lobby Entrance Welcome CoffeeOutside The Claude and Tuulikki Janssen Auditorium, Main Building, Level 2 (above library) |
| 8:45 - 9:00 | Opening Remarks and Welcome Address |
| 9:00 - 9:45 | Keynote Address on "Boards Navigating the Tides of Geopolitical Turbulence"Arnoud De Meyer, Vice-Chair of INSEAD Board, Chairman of Stewardship Asia Singapore and Independent Director of Viva Energy Pty Ltd and Banyan Tree Holdings Limited and University Professor, Singapore Management University |
| 9:45 - 10:30 | Academic Session on "Trump, Influence and Negotiation in a Contentious World"Horacio Falcao, Professor of Management Practice of Decision Sciences (via Zoom) |
| 10:30 - 11:00 | Networking Coffee Break |
| 11:00 - 11:45 | Panel Discussion on Thriving Amid Uncertainties: Adaptive Governance Strategies Across OwnershipChinta Bhagat, Founder, Aries Holdings Moderated by Chwee Foon Lim, Board Member, INSEAD and CEO Asia Pacific, Ekso Bionics |
| 11:45 - 12:00 | Introduction to the INSEAD Directors NetworkHelen Wiseman, President of INSEAD International Directors Network (IDN), Non-Executive Director, Bid Corporation (JSE:BID), Audit and Risk Committee Chair, Canterbury Cathedral and Trustee of SFI Health |
| 12:00 - 14:00 | Networking LunchIn The Grove Executive Restaurant, Leadership Development Centre, Level 6 |
| 14:00 - 14:45 | Academic Session on Preparing A Crisis-Ready BoardPushan Dutt, Professor of Economics and Chair, Economics and Political Science Area, INSEAD |
| 14:45 - 15:30 | Academic Session on When Business Meets Politics: Should Companies Voice Their Political Stand?Craig Smith, Senior Affiliate Professor of Ethics and Social Responsibility and The INSEAD Chaired Professor of Ethics and Social Responsibility (via Zoom) |
| 15:30 - 16:15 | Networking Coffee Break |
| 16:15 - 17:00 | Fireside Chat on Governance in Action: The Quest for New Competences, Mindsets and AttitudeElaine Yew, Independent Non-Executive Director of SPH Media Holdings and MOH Holdings, Board member of The Majurity Trust, Wild Rice Ltd. and Capella Hotels Group and Senior Partner, Egon Zehnder Moderated by David Mair, Secretary-General, INSEAD Alumni Association and CEO, REPUBLIC Consulting |
| 17:00 - 17:15 | Award Ceremony Keynote AddressThe Claude and Tuulikki Janssen Auditorium, Main Building, Level 2 (above library) Bicky Bhangu, Board member at Land Transport Authority (LTA), Council Member of Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF), Chairperson of Sustainability Action Committee (SAC) at Singapore Business Federation (SBF), President of UN Global Compact Network Singapore |
| 17:15 - 17:45 | Award Ceremony of the INSEAD Certificate in Corporate GovernanceThe Claude and Tuulikki Janssen Auditorium, Main Building, Level 2 (above library) |
| 17:45 - 18:45 | Free time to refresh and get ready for group dinner By 18:15, shuttle bus outside INSEAD main lobby will depart from campus to the restaurant. |
| 18:45 - 21:30 | Cocktail & Celebration DinnerTower Club, 9 Raffles Place, Penthouse (62nd-64th Floors), Republic Plaza Tower 1 (Atlantic Room) |
DAY 2 - Saturday, 26 April 2025
| 8:15 - 8:45 | Welcome and Networking CoffeeOutside The Claude and Tuulikki Janssen Auditorium, Main Building, Level 2 (above library) |
| 8:45 - 9:00 | Opening Remarks and Introduction to Day 2Sonia Tatar, Executive Director of INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre & INSEAD Wendel International Centre for Family Enterprise |
| 9:00 -9:45 | Academic Session on Human-AI Ensembles: New Approach to Decision Making?Phanish Puranam, Professor of Strategy, The Roland Berger Chaired Professor of Strategy and Organisation Design and Research Director of the INSEAD-Wharton Alliance |
| 9:45 - 10:30 | Practical Session 1: The Sustainability Conundrum, What Next?Ron Soonieus, Senior Advisor, Boston Consulting Group Director in Residence, INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre Executive in Residence, Ethics and Social Responsibility Initiative (ESRI) |
| 10:30 - 11:00 | Networking Coffee Break |
| 11:00 - 12:00 | Practical Session 2: Peer-to-Peer Group DiscussionParticipants are required to select one of the 3 parallel workshops to attend. Workshop 1: Board Strategy in a Fragmented world Led by Helen Wiseman, President of INSEAD International Directors Network (IDN), Audit and Risk Committee Chair, Bid Corporation (JSE:BID) Audit and Risk Committee Chair, Canterbury Cathedral, Trustee, SFI Health and Brad Fraser, INSEAD International Directors Network (IDN) Board Treasurer, Board Chair, International Community School (Singapore), Advisory Board Vice Chair, FIA Inc. and Head of Prime Derivative Services, Asia Pacific, Barclays Workshop 2: Reconciling the Great Divide in Sustainability Led by Ron Soonieus, Senior Advisor, Boston Consulting Group Director in Residence, INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre Executive in Residence, Ethics and Social Responsibility Initiative (ESRI) Workshop 3: Fostering Resilient Boards: Processes, Practices and Performance Led by Huey Tyng Ooi, Independent Director in AIG Asia Pacific, Maxis Berhad, Singapore Institute of Management, Food from the Heart, Raffles Institution; Governing Council Member, Singapore Institute of Directors (SID) |
| 12:00 - 12:30 | Reflection and Takeaways from Group DiscussionsLed by Sonia Tatar, Executive Director of INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre and INSEAD Wendel International Centre for Family Enterprise |
| 12:30 - 12:45 | Closing Address on "Recalibrating Directorship: Perspectives from Singapore Institute of Directors"Terence Quek, CEO of Singapore Institute of Directors |
| 12:45 - 12:55 | Wrap-up and Closing RemarksSonia Tatar, Executive Director of INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre & INSEAD Wendel International Centre for Family Enterprise |
| 12:55 - 14:00 | Networking LunchStanding buffet lunch provided outside the Auditorium |
Speakers
We are in the process of updating the speakers line-up. Do visit this page to get the latest updates.
Keynote Speakers
Vice-Chair of INSEAD Board, University Professor, Singapore Management University
Board member at Land Transport Authority (LTA), Council Member of Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF), Chairperson of Sustainability Action Committee (SAC) at Singapore Business Federation (SBF), President of UN Global Compact Network Singapore
Presiding Faculty and Host
Professor of Finance
Executive Director of INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre and INSEAD Wendel International Centre for Family Enterprise
Academic Speakers
Professor of Management Practice of Decision Sciences
Professor of Economics
Senior Affiliate Professor of Ethics and Social Responsibility
Professor of Strategy
Board Practitioner Speakers
Founder, Aries Holdings
Non-Executive Director of OCBC Bank, Jardine Cycle & Carriage Limited, EdgeConneX Inc, and ams OSRAM AG
Yuelin Yang
Chief Stewardship and Well-being Governance Officer Tsao Pao Chee, Independent Director at Verlinvest Asia, Council member at Asian Corporate Governance Association
Board Member, INSEAD and CEO, APAC Ekso Bionics
Independent Non-Executive Director of SPH Media Holdings and MOH Holdings, Board member of The Majurity Trust, Wild Rice Ltd. and Capella Hotels Group and Senior Partner, Egon Zehnder
Group CEO, Raintree Group of Companies
Secretary-General, INSEAD Alumni Association and CEO, REPUBLIC Consulting
President of INSEAD International Directors Network (IDN), Non-Executive Director, Bid Corporation (JSE:BID), Audit and Risk Committee Chair, Canterbury Cathedral and Trustee of SFI Health
Brad Fraser
IDN Board Treasurer, Board Chair, International Community School (Singapore), Advisory Board Vice Chair, FIA Inc. and Head of Prime Derivative Services, Asia Pacific, Barclays
Senior Advisor, Boston Consulting Group Director in Residence, INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre Executive in Residence, Ethics and Social Responsibility Initiative (ESRI)
Independent Director in AIG Asia Pacific, Maxis Berhad, Singapore Institute of Management, Food from the Heart, Raffles Institution; Governing Council Member, Singapore Institute of Directors (SID)
CEO, Singapore Institute of Directors
Fees
Please refer to the table below for the applicable fee.
| Free |
| SGD 660 |
| SGD 935 |
| SGD 1030 |
Cancellation policy
Please take note of the cancellation policy that we will apply for this event.
- Full refund for cancellation request made by 25 March.
- 50% refund for cancellation request made between 26 March to 9 April.
- No refund for cancellation request made from 10 April.
Accommodation
We have pre-reserved some hotel rooms at the INSEAD Residences for two nights for your stay during 24-26 April 2025.
To book your room, please click here to go to the hotel booking webpage and enter the group code: IDF0425.
The standard room rate is SGD245.00+ per night for single occupancy. There will be an additional charge of SGD35.00+ per night for the extra person. Rates are inclusive of daily breakfast.
Should you wish to extend your stay, please put in your request via the "Add Special Request" column box found in the details section and our hospitality colleague will check the availability and respond to you.
For further questions regarding room reservation, please email directly to INSEAD Residences at [email protected].
Practical information
Getting to INSEAD Asia Campus, Singapore
The INSEAD Campus is located at No. 1 Ayer Rajah Avenue, Singapore 138676.
Parking and public transportation
Should you wish to drive, there are 15 visitors parking lots available on campus. They are on first come first serve basis. Please inform the security that you are here for INSEAD Directors Forum. Alternatively, you may park at the carpark of the Fusionopolis One, which is located just adjacent to INSEAD.
The nearest MRT station to the campus is the one-north MRT station (on the Circle Line). Walking distance is approximately 2 minutes from Exit A.
Dress code
The dress code is business casual for on-campus events.
Photos and videos
We have engaged an official photographer who will take photos of the sessions and during the Award Ceremony.
Bring your own device
The Forum is paperless so please bring your own electronic device (laptop/tablet/smartphone with Wi-Fi connectivity) as you will need it during the Forum to engage in some sessions.
WiFi access
Wireless internet is available on campus. Visitors are invited to join the WiFi named "INSEAD". The Wifi network will display a login page for you to enter your credentials (@insead.edu) or create a personal account (Guests, visitors with no @insead.edu account).
Pre-Reads
We are happy to share with you the following articles and resources which are useful reference related to the topics to be discussed during the INSEAD Directors Forum. Please check this section for latest updates.
- The World Economy in 2025: A Year of Upheaval? by INSEAD Knowledge, adapted from webinar by Antonio Fatás, INSEAD Professor of Economics held on 21 January 2025
- Five Global Trends in Business and Society in 2025 by INSEAD Dean Francisco Veloso, Professor Peter Joos and Katell Le Goulven, Hoffmann Institute
- Business and Politics Should Never Mix – Or Should They? by INSEAD Professor N. Craig Smith and Markus Scholz, TU Dresden
- Could More Human-Like AI Undermine Trust? by INSEAD Professor Phanish Puranam, and Bart Vanneste, University College London
- Boards Meeting Challenges from Sustainability to Geopolitical Volatility Report, third edition of the Board ESG Pulse Check by INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre, in collaboration with Heidrick & Struggles and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to explore how boards are responding to complex trends and disruptions they are currently facing
- New book "RE-HUMANIZE: How to Build Human-Centric Organizations in the Age of Algorithms" by Phanish Puranam, INSEAD Professor of Strategy
- The Economics of Sustainability by INSEAD Professors Karel Cool , Atalay Atasu and Nathan Fur
