Source: SID brochure.
The critical importance of boards in driving innovation will be the central theme at the Singapore Institute of Directors (SID) sixth annual Directors’ Conference. Taking place on September 16, 2015, at the Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, this yearly event is designed to cultivate leadership skills for Singaporean businesses and is anticipated to draw over 800 attendees.
Organized by SID, the conference will be inaugurated by guest-of-honor S Iswaran, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office; Second Minister for Home Affairs; and Second Minister for Trade and Industry.
Emeritus Professor Jean-Philippe Deschamps from the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) Business School in Lausanne, Switzerland, will deliver a keynote address on innovation governance. His talk will center on how companies must adapt and organize themselves to remain competitive and cultivate a comprehensive internal culture of innovation. Fredrik Haren, founder of interesting.org, will discuss how Singaporean companies can enhance their innovation and creativity, while Vinnie Lauria, Managing Partner of venture capital firm Golden Gate Ventures, will explain how businesses can join the innovation movement.
“Most businesses acknowledge the vital role of innovation as a growth driver. However, the topic of innovation rarely appears on board meeting agendas. Through this gathering of directors, we aim to illuminate how innovation is an integral part of their governance responsibilities and demonstrate how they can encourage innovation adoption across all levels of their organizations,” stated Willie Cheng, SID Chairman.
A panel discussion moderated by Scott Anthony, Managing Partner of Innosight, will feature several board chairs sharing insights into how their boards and companies oversee and implement innovation:
- Ang Kong Hua, Chairman, Sembcorp Industries (an umbrella group encompassing utilities, marine investments, and urban development)
- Simon Israel, Non-executive and Non-independent Director, Singtel
- Koh Soo Boon, founder and Managing Partner, iGlobe Partners (a global venture firm)
- Lim Ho Seng, Chairman, Baker Technology (a manufacturer and provider of specialized equipment and services for the oil and gas industry)
Furthermore, ten innovators will share their perspectives in a roundtable discussion led by Dwight Hutchins, Asia Pacific Managing Director, Strategy Consulting at Accenture:
- Steve Leonard, Executive Deputy Chairman, Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA)
- Peter Overy, MD, IDEO Singapore (IDEO is a global design firm)
- Dave Lim, TEDx Ambassador and co-founder, Innovation X by Coca-Cola
- Esther An, Chief Sustainability Officer, City Developments (a property pioneer)
- Liak Teng Lit, Group CEO, Alexandra Health System (the healthcare cluster serving north Singapore)
- Douglas Foo, founder and Chairman, Sakae Holdings (an umbrella company for several quality dining brands)
- Rehito “Ray” Hatoyama, MD, Sanrio Company
- Nobu Okada, CEO, Astroscale (a company addressing the increasing threat of space debris)
- Lee Poh Wah, CEO, Lien Foundation (a philanthropic house)
- Andreas Heinecke, founder and CEO, Dialogue Social Enterprise (a global social enterprise focused on social inclusion for the disabled, disadvantaged, and elderly)
A significant highlight of the conference is the Innovation Gallery, where more than 30 companies, startups, and projects will exhibit their cutting-edge concepts, products, services, business models, and technologies. Featured innovations include drones, smart cars, board portals, robots, 3D printers, Internet of Things solutions, cybersecurity technologies, and modular cities.
“Singapore holds the eighth position globally in Bloomberg’s index of innovative countries, demonstrating the vast potential within our business community," remarked Robert Chew, SID Council Member and Chairman of the SID Directors’ Conference 2015 Committee. “This potential needs further exploration and support at the board level.”
“It is time to reassess and rethink how we conduct business,” he continued. “We believe this conference will serve as a vital platform for discussing and examining the concept of innovation and exploring practical applications across various industries in Singapore.”
Founded in 1998, SID is Singapore’s national association for company directors. It collaborates closely with government authorities, regulators, and its network of members and professionals to uphold and elevate the highest standards of corporate governance and ethical behavior. SID’s membership primarily consists of directors from commercial enterprises and non-profit organizations, along with lawyers, accountants, academics, and other professionals specializing in corporate governance.
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