Our Views
Quotas Do Not
Guarantee
Ensuing Benefits
We are interested in having women on boards for the benefits that it brings. Meeting quotas does not guarantee that benefits follow.
Suitable Women
Candidates
are Available
Look beyond personal networks and re-examine the typical profile of board directors. The pool of candidates could be much larger than expected.
Meritocracy
And Diversity
Can Co-Exist
We support appointing board directors based on merit. However, board diversity is crucial to achieve sustained, long-lasting change.
Boost Investor
Confidence Through Diversity Disclosure
Companies disclosing their board diversity policy in the right spirit will help raise the profile of Singapore-listed issuers.
CBD 5th Anniversary event
Fireside Chat with President Halimah Yacob
The Council for Board Diversity marked our 5th Anniversary on 31 August, with an event and forum held at the Shangri-La Singapore.
Our Patron, President Halimah Yacob, sat for a fireside moderated by Ms Sun Xueling, Minister of State for Social and Family Development & Home Affairs, during which President urged organisations to leverage diverse leadership. An all-women panel comprising 4 board chairpersons (Euleen Goh, Geraldine Chin, Chew Gek Khim, Cheong Hoon Kean) and a Senior Partner from McKinsey (Diaan-Yi Lin) discussed the changing role of boards in a VUCA world, including in harnessing diverse expertise and backgrounds as a business imperative.
Features and Highlights

Board Appointment Guide for Charities
Tharman Shanmugaratnam
Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies
“An effective board does not come by chance. Whether it is in attracting board members, developing them, evaluating performance, or preparing for succession, none of these happen on their own without conscious thought and planning. And they are more critical now than ever before, as the challenges that charities seek to address are getting more complex.”
FUTURE-PROOFING COMPANIES THROUGH DIVERSITY
Mildred Tan
Co-chair, Council for Board Diversity; Chair, Tote Board Singapore and Singapore University of Social Sciences
“The Covid-19 pandemic has prompted stakeholders to pay close attention to companies’ sustainability and resilience. Companies need to assure stakeholders that they can navigate constant change and uncertainty, anticipate risks and capture new opportunities.”

Progress of Women on Boards
As at 30 June 2023
As at 30 June 2023
As at 30 June 2023
As at 30 June 2023
As at 30 June 2023
As at 30 June 2023