Programme

We are delighted to have Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat giving opening remarks at the conference

As Japan focusses on reforms to improve capital efficiency and profitability, and Korea sets its sights on dismantling the dreaded discount with its Corporate Value Up Program, what are the implications for other markets in the region? Where are the opportunities for corporate governance gains and what is driving change? Which markets are likely to make progress and what is holding others back? Should we be hopeful about sustainability governance and ESG reporting?

Confirmed Speakers:
Ken Hokugo, Director, Co-Head of Hedge Fund Investments, Head of Corporate Governance, Pension Fund Association, Tokyo
Nana Li, Head of Sustainability & Stewardship, Asia-Pacific, Impax Asset Management, Hong Kong
Yoo-Kyung. Park, Managing Director, Emerging Markets Equities, Fundamental Strategy, APG Asset Management, Hong Kong
Seungjoo Ro, Head of Sustain Asia / ESG Research, CLSA, Hong Kong

Companies with controlling shareholders are a dominant feature across Asian markets. These companies may have the founders, or their descendants, as the largest shareholders and controlling the business. Independent non-executive directors (INEDs) may be viewed as outsiders who do not really understand the business and their views thus discounted. Do INEDs need to be empowered to be effective in bringing independent and diverse thinking to board decisions? 

Confirmed Speakers :
Mark de Silva, Director, Stewardship and Climate Lead, HSBC Asset Management, Hong Kong
Ian Stone, Independent Non-Executive Director, Tencent, Hong Kong
Su-Yen Wong, Global Independent Director, Singapore

Moderator: 
Yuelin Yang, Chief Stewardship and Wellbeing Governance Officer, TPC (Tsao Pao Chee), Singapore, ACGA Council Member

How do investors play an effective stewardship role in exercising their fiduciary responsibilities? What are the types of engagements and discussions with corporates that facilitate this? From the perspective of the corporates, how do managers and directors position themselves for fruitful discussions with asset managers on ESG issues, and what are their own stewardship responsibilities for assets of the company?

Confirmed Speakers:
Elisa Cencig, Head of Policy Engagement, Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM), London
Rajeev Peshawaria, Chief Executive Officer, Stewardship Asia Centre, Singapore
Dr. Ismet Yusoff, Chief Executive Officer, Minority Shareholders Watch Group, Kuala Lumpur

Moderator:
Jane Ho, Head of Stewardship APAC, BNP Paribas Asset Management, Singapore

ESG has experienced a backlash from the US but the impetus from Europe and other parts of the world remains. Meanwhile, sustainability imperatives vary in emerging markets, including those in Asia. How do investors in this region navigate these issues and what should they and corporates do for meaningful discussions on ESG and sustainability? What do investors need to see from corporates beyond ticking boxes in ESG surveys? 

Confirmed Speakers:
Peng Er Foo, Vice President, Group Sustainability, CapitaLand Investment, Singapore 
Jessica Ground, Global Head of ESG, Capital Group, London
Michael Tang, Executive Director; Head of Listing Policy and Product Admission; Head of Sustainable Development Office, Singapore Exchange Regulation, Singapore

Moderator:
Shannon Gong, Principal, ESG, British Columbia Investment Management Corp, Victoria

Corruption and fraud are issues that won’t go away. What are the most effective ways of addressing the risk of corporate malfeasance? Are whistleblower mechanisms available and effective or can there be other means to reduce these risks? Are the media and regulators providing sufficient support in their respective markets for whistleblowers to come out with complaints?

Confirmed Speakers:
Cynthia Gabriel, Lawyer, Advocate, Anti-Corruption Consultant, Founder of Centre to Combat Corruption & Cronyism (C4), Kuala Lumpur
Prof Yuen Teen Mak, Director, Centre for Investor Protection, NUS Business School, National University of Singapore, Singapore
Praveen Sangana, Head of Governance & Forensic Research/ Intl. ESG Research, Fidelity Investments, Bangalore

Moderator:
Christopher Leahy, Specialist Advisor, Southeast Asia, ACGA, Singapore

Nature: The Untapped Asset for Climate and Business Resilience
In this keynote, Vivek Kumar, CEO of WWF-Singapore, will challenge senior leaders to view nature as a critical asset in the fight against climate change. Drawing on real-world examples, Vivek will show how investing in biodiversity conservation delivers triple gains: protecting ecosystems, empowering communities, and combating climate risks.

He will outline how businesses can leverage WWF’s complimentary tools such as Sustainable Banking Assessment (SUSBA) and the Palm Oil Buyers’ Scorecard to align sustainability with long-term profitability. This address will leave leaders with actionable insights on how integrating nature into core strategies can unlock value, mitigate risk, and drive a future where nature and business thrive together.

Executive compensation is becoming increasingly controversial in Asia given the rising quantum in payouts and a lack of transparency on the key performance indicators (KPIs) that drive these decisions. Often, controlling shareholders determine their own compensation. What is the information that investors need from remuneration committees to ensure compensation is aligned with long-term shareholder value?

Confirmed Speakers: 
Shai Ganu, Managing Director, Global Leader – Executive Compensation & Board Advisory, WTW, Singapore
Felix Lam, Head of Investment Stewardship, Asia ex-Japan, JP Morgan Asset Management, Hong Kong
Amit Tandon, Managing Director, Institutional Investor Advisory Services India Limited, Mumbai

Moderator:
Pru Bennett, Partner, Brunswick Group, Sydney, ACGA Council Member

AI could transform not just how effectively we use data but also how we find solutions to business challenges, including the development of new business models. Yet it comes with risks including deepfake avatars that lead to fraud and corporate upheaval. How should boards determine appropriate corporate policies and oversight in implementation of AI strategies? What are the issues for investors to determine if boards are handling these challenges effectively?    

Confirmed Speakers:
Manik Bhandari, Partner, ASEAN AI and Data Leader, Ernst & Young Advisory Pte. Ltd., Singapore.
Kathlyn Collins, Head of Responsible Investment & Stewardship, Matthews Asia, San Francisco
Dr. Leslie Teo, Senior Director, AI Products, AI Singapore, Singapore

Moderator:
Miranda Zhao, Greater China Lead of Responsible Investment and Stewardship, APG Investments Asia, Hong Kong

Shareholder activism is gaining prevalence in the region but is it improving corporate behaviour? Drawing from the experience of seasoned activists, how are targets picked, what methods are being utilised to rally investor support, where and how is change happening and what are the prospects for other markets?

Confirmed Speakers:
Changhwan Lee, Chief Executive Officer, Align Partners Capital Management, Seoul
Cheol Woo Park, Investor Relations Executive Officer, Shinhan Financial Group, Seoul
Allen Wang, Chief Executive Officer, TIH Investment Management Pte. Ltd., Singapore 

Moderator:
Shireen Muhiudeen, Founder, Corston-Smith Asset Management, Kuala Lumpur

Several markets have seen improvements in female representation on boards and in senior executive roles. But progress on gender diversity remains patchy and in many markets the moves often smack of tokenism. How do we get more women in senior executive jobs as well as board positions? What are the main obstacles and ways to overcome these? What are the main factors driving the improvement in gender diversity in some Asean markets, including Singapore? 

Confirmed Speakers:
Mira Lee, Board Director at SK Ecoplant, and Chair of Nomination & Remuneration Committee, Seoul
Stefanie Yuen Thio, Joint Managing Partner, TSMP Law Corporation, Singapore 
Dr. David Smith, Senior Investment Director, abrdn Asia, Singapore

Moderator:
Ronnie Lim, Senior Engagement Specialist, Robeco, Hong Kong, ACGA Council Member

Governments across the region have staked out net-zero targets and transition pathways. Particularly in the high carbon-emitting sectors, companies are under pressure from customers and investors to build their own credible transition plans. How quickly should companies be moving and how do international investors mesh global expectations with domestic realities and regulations?  

Confirmed Speakers: 
Kiran Aziz, Head of Responsible Investments, KLP Asset Management, Oslo
Christina Ng, Managing Director, Energy Shift Institute, Melbourne
Hendrik Rosenthal, Director of Group Sustainability, CLP Holdings Limited, Hong Kong

Moderator:
Trista Chen, Head of Investment Stewardship Asia (ex Japan), Legal & General Investment Management, SIngapore