SBLP Media Release - UK

10-May-2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SINGAPORE RUNS PROGRAMME FOR BUSINESS LEADERS TO GAIN ASIA-CENTRIC INSIGHTS CRITICAL TO HARNESSING REGION’S GROWTH

Inaugural Singapore Business Leaders Programme addresses the challenges of companies growing their business footprint in Asia, especially the need to develop leaders with a deep understanding of Asian markets and human capital

SINGAPORE, 10 May 2011 – The inaugural Singapore Business Leaders Programme (SBLP) saw participants explore, in depth, how companies can succeed in the region by innovating in Asia for Asia, and by working with governments and navigating the regulatory and human capital landscape. The participants engaged in a wide-range of discussions on examining new business model and product innovation, partnering state-owned enterprises, and addressing challenges Asian companies face in their internationalisation.

The SBLP reiterated the critical need for companies growing their businesses in Asia, as well as Asian companies internationalising, to develop talent and human capital strategies that can enable their growth. To tap the enormous business opportunities presented by a rising Asia, the Programme discussed the importance of developing leaders with both a global mindset and a deep understanding of Asia.  In the course of the Programme deliberations, optimism was expressed about the growth prospects of the region. Whilst China currently leads the way in growth, there is growth potential across the entire pan-Asian region, especially India and South East Asia.

The Programme aims to deepen the Participants’ understanding of the imperatives for growing their businesses in Asia - from the unique characteristics which make Asia the most exciting growth region in the world today, the opportunities it offers and the challenges it presents; the complexity of operating across markets and economies in the region, all underpinned by the need to have effective strategies to develop their organisations’ leaders and human capital for competitive advantage. The inaugural Programme was attended by 26 senior business leaders from around the world.

“As Asian companies build a new breed of Asian multinationals, today’s global companies upgrade the roles of their Asian subsidiaries, and Asia innovation plays an increasingly important role in maintaining competitiveness, a raft of new demands will be placed on Asian corporate leaders,” said Peter Williamson, SBLP facilitator and Professor of International Management, Cambridge Judge Business School, University of Cambridge.

The SBLP, the Human Capital Leadership Institute’s (HCLI’s) flagship executive education initiative, brought together an eminent panel of faculty from around the world as well as from the region, to share with Programme participants their views on the opportunities and challenges of operating in Asia.

Public sector perspectives were provided by Singapore’s Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and India’s Chairman of the Committee on Allocation of Natural Resources, Ashok Chawla, while global and Asian corporate leaders such as CEO of Unilever Paul Polman, President of Pratt & Whitney David Hess, China Huaneng Group Chairman Cao Peixi, Fortis Healthcare Chairman Malvinder Singh and Softbank Chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son, weighed in with their insights. In addition to Peter Williamson, rounding out the panel were distinguished thought-leaders such as Kishore Mahbubani, Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and Peter Schwartz, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Global Business Network.

The Programme provided a unique platform to understand perspectives from government, business, academic and thought leaders, from both Asia and around the world, focused on the needs of businesses in Asia, for Asia.  

Said Mr Leo Yip, Chairman of the Singapore Economic Development Board, “SBLP is a hallmark programme aimed at providing global business leaders with a deeper understanding of Asia and Asian markets. It projects the strategic value that Singapore can offer to business leaders on business strategy, and as a location for talent and leadership development, especially in Asia, for Asia. It reinforces Singapore’s position as a Global-Asia talent hub. We are uniquely positioned to offer such a programme because of our ability to bring together and distil insights from global and Asian business and thought leaders on the business, regulatory and human capital landscape in Asia, to generate new thinking and knowledge for business success in Asia.”

“There is an old Chinese proverb which says, if you want one year of prosperity, grow grain; if you want 10 years of prosperity, grow trees; if you want 100 years of prosperity, grow people. HCLI’s objective in launching the Singapore Business Leaders Program (SBLP) is to help participants master the rules of leadership in the Asian context and is aimed at helping them to learn and develop as effective leaders in a globalising Asia. HCLI has created a unique learning experience by drawing on faculty, including inspiring leaders from the political sphere, prominent business leaders, leading academics, and more importantly, valuable peer learning through a careful mix of potential C-Suite participants from different sectors and geographies,” said Sunny Verghese, Chairman of the Governing Council, of the Human Capital Leadership Institute

Gary Wieland, Vice President, Marine Services – Asia, Rolls-Royce Marine -
“The SBLP clearly highlights the need for flexible and creative leadership, visionary thinking and a commitment to the development of human capital all of which is highly important as Asian countries continue to emerge as Global Economic Powers.”

Goh Swee Chen, Regional Vice President, Asia Pacific & Middle East - Bulk Fulels & Lubricants, Shell Eastern Petroleum –

“SBLP sets the stage to drive home the imperative to develop global leaders in Asia. The region's contribution to the global market is growing at an unprecedented pace - balancing agility, governance and social responsibilities is key to success. This has been a truly unique experience - it encapsulates the insights of industry leaders, policy makers and academics into 5 days of intense and intimate learning.”

Peter Williamson, Professor of International Management, Cambridge Judge Business School, University of Cambridge -

“It is an honour to contribute as lead facilitator for HCLI’s SBLP initiative to help the next generation of Asian executives to meet this challenge. Not only does the SBLP bring together a motivated group of participants poised to step into key corporate leadership roles with thought leaders, government ministers and experienced CEOs to share experience, but it has supported me in developing a rich, new set of a Asian case materials that offer invaluable lessons for how we can build successful global companies from Asia and to ramp up the kinds of innovation that play to Asian strengths.”

The inaugural SBLP opened on Monday 2 May 2011 and continued until 6 May 2011 in Singapore. An annual initiative, the next session is scheduled to take place in 2012.

About the Human Capital Leadership Institute

The Human Capital Leadership Institute’s mission is to help organisations accelerate leadership development and strategic human capital management capabilities in Asia, for a fast growing Asia. The Human Capital Leadership Institute (HCLI) achieves this by driving pan-Asian research tailored to the needs of industry, developing cutting edge executive development programmes and fostering rich networks between leaders in business, government, and academia. The Institute was established in February 2010 with the Ministry of Manpower, Singapore Economic Development Board and the Singapore Management University as strategic partners. Through its unique ability to bring together best-in-class faculty comprising representatives from the public sector, private sector, and academia; the Institute offers thought leadership and insights on understanding Asia, successfully doing business in Asia, and around leadership and human capital strategies for Asia. Through its efforts, the Institute aims to develop global leaders with a strong understanding of leading in Asia, as well as to build Asian leaders with the ability to lead on the global stage.

For more information on HCLI please visit www.hcli.org

For more information, please contact:

Human Capital Leadership Institute

SECK Yee Kwang

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• Geographical Location

Singapore is located 1 degree or 136.8km north of the equator. It has a total land area of 699 square kilometers and a population of about four million. Situated at the crossroads of East and West, Singapore is one of the busiest sea and airports in the world. Its strategic position has also made it a hub for trade, communications and tourism activities.

• Weather

Singapore is known for its hot and humid weather, with little variation throughout the year. The average daytime temperature is 31ºC (88ºF), dropping to around 24ºC (75ºF) in the evenings. The monsoon season can bear down pretty heavily on our tropical weather from November onwards, so be prepared for rain on a daily basis during this period.

• Electricity

Singapore voltage is 220 – 240 volts AC, 50 cycles per second.

• Currency

The currency used in Singapore is the Singapore dollar (S$). Money changing services can be found not only at the Singapore Changi Airport but also most shopping centres and hotels around the island. You can also access the automated teller machines (ATMs) located everywhere (even in the most obscure bits) in Singapore, that accept most of the main credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard and American Express.

• Visa Requirements

Visa may be required for certain nationalities. Please visit www.ica.gov.sg to verify if you need to apply for a visa before entering into Singapore. The visa application form is available free of charge at all Singapore overseas mission. Should you require a invitation letter to support your visa letter, kindly write in to the Secretariat for your request. Please also note that visitors to Singapore must meet the following entry requirements:-

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