International Directors Summit 2022

COFFEE CHAT

A quick networking meet for like-minded individuals to gather for sharing insights, connecting and exploring new collaboration opportunities. Each breakout group will be led by a specialist facilitator who will share perspectives on emerging trends and global reflections in their respective areas.

Available topical groups:

Sustainability, ESG & Climate Emergency | Digital Economy | Innovation & Transformation Stakeholder Communications | Zero Trust Security | Diversity, Equity & Inclusio

[ BOLD + BRAVE ] DIALOGUE #2
Bad Blood: The Theranos Exposé

The Theranos scandal has dominated headlines, and in equal measure fascinated and appalled readers worldwide since John Carreyrou’s shattering report first broke in 2015. Theranos Inc., a consumer healthcare technology start-up, was once valued at over USD9 billion, and its leadership claimed it would revolutionise the blood-testing industry. On Jan. 3, 2022, Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes was found guilty of four out of 11 fraud charges and is scheduled to be sentenced on 17 October 2022.

In this session, we will discuss the ethical lapses, the credulous media coverage, and the lax oversight that allowed the Theranos “unicorn” to rise and crumble, and share lessons companies, journalists, and business leaders can learn from its fall. Most importantly, how could all these have been avoided

[ BOLD + BRAVE ] MASTERCLASS #1
Unleashing the Innovation Mojo that Works!

The environment and customers’ needs are constantly changing, requiring businesses to continually innovate to improve, solve problems, and create new values for their customers. But sometimes, great ideas are hard to come by, even in a company filled with bright and motivated employees. Risk aversion, fear of criticism, and lengthy approval processes are common barriers to innovation. Failing to innovate in the business world can leave you limping behind soaring competitors. This session will take leaders through a pathway where ideas thrive to achieve innovation breakthroughs

[ BOLD + BRAVE ] MASTERCLASS #2
Building Resiliency at the Core - Talent & Culture

Connection is at the heart of team resilience, and leaders are responsible for nurturing relationships within teams. This will define the team’s ability to effectively undergo tough times together. With more employees working autonomously in the new norm, how do leaders build resilient and high-functioning teams in the new landscape? How to identify a resilient team's core qualities and values with a strong focus despite change or adversity? It is not just about bouncing back from a crisis but also moving forward. More so, what are the crucial roles of boards and what more can be done in building a resilient culture, talent building, and retention?

[ BOLD + BRAVE ] MASTERCLASS #3
Avoiding Ethical Misstep in the Digital & AI World

Cutting-edge technology is necessary for today’s business environment, especially in seeking breakthrough innovations. However, this comes with a heavy price if the digital and AI strategy and applications are not built appropriately with proper governance and careful supervision. How can we avoid ethical missteps in this race to attain the business edge through utilisation of digital and AI technologies? How can we manage risks such as cyber-attacks and data security from the start? This is a modern boardroom issue that must be prioritised, not ignored. Learn how to ask the right questions.

[ BOLD + BRAVE ] MASTERCLASS #4
The Domino Effect of Supply Chain Disruption

Supply chain management must be viewed from a risk viewpoint. The pandemic has exposed how fragile and critical one’s supply chain strategy and management can be. Studies have estimated that up to 90% of a company’s sustainability impact originates in its own supply chain. A just-in-time inventory system or supply chain concept may have caused disruptions in operations without a practical plan B of supplies (or even logistics!). Given the benefits to gain and the risks involved, what more can companies do to future-proof their supply chain? What are the key trends of supply chain sustainability moving forward?

[ BOLD + BRAVE ] KEYNOTE #2
Your Next Strategic Advantage - Organisational Intelligence & Innovation

In the race to create world-class products and services to meet the challenges of a renewed era of global competition as well as co-creation, what makes a leader successful at creating change in large, complex organisations? What are the key drivers of pragmatic (and profitable) innovation and change? The central dilemma for corporate leaders has always been that you are one person who needs to motivate an organisation of thousands or hundreds of thousands to embrace and implement the strategies that you are leading. The qualities that help managers rise in the organisation — emotional intelligence (EQ), high IQ, and deep business knowledge (BQ), and so forth may help them get to the top, but often they aren’t successful once they get there. Discover the essence of Organisational Intelligence (OQ) - gather the know how to get a large organisation to do what you want. Discover how you can lead transformation or innovation in your organisation.

COFFEE CHAT

A quick networking meet for like-minded individuals to gather for sharing insights, connecting and exploring new collaboration opportunities. Each breakout group will be led by a specialist facilitator who will share perspectives on emerging trends and global reflections in their respective areas.

Available topical groups:
Audit Committee | Nomination & Remuneration Committee | Risk Committee
Sustainability Committee | New & Aspiring Directors | Company Secretary

[ BOLD + BRAVE ] MASTERCLASS #5
Race to Net Zero: Climate Risk, Stranded Assets, Stranded Humans

The race toward a net-zero economy by 2050 will undeniably benefit our planet, but it also poses issues of stranded assets, human capital as well as economic instability if not those carbon-dependent investments prematurely without proper strategy. Countries that are slow to decarbonise will suffer but early movers will profit. Oil or coal reserves will be left unburnable, machineries and vehicles will be stranded and no longer produce value for its owners. Current human capital may become unfit for new green ventures creating labour shortages and unemployment. How will all this impact the credit risk assessment and the sustainability of businesses? What strategies can be taken to manage the consequences of stranded assets? We need to act fast but is there an economical and ethical middle path in tackling climate risks?

[ BOLD + BRAVE ] MASTERCLASS #6
Mastering the Art of Board Leadership

Becoming the Chair of a Board is often the pinnacle of a brilliant career. Yet many Chairs never fulfil their true potential; they fail to capitalise on this tremendous opportunity. That’s a shame – not only for these leaders personally, but for the companies they govern and the boards they lead. Board Leadership is an art - and it can be learned. This Masterclass will focus on three essential areas required to master it, based on the facilitator’s experience working with nearly 200 boards and their leaders from around the world over the past 25 years. While some of this advice will undoubtedly be familiar, she will also introduce practical ideas and tools you may never have considered or heard of up to now, all of which have been successfully used by other Board Chairs who wanted to become the very best in the boardroom.

[ BOLD + BRAVE ] MASTERCLASS #7
Communications in Times of Crisis – The Dos & Don’ts

Being crisis ready and being ready to face the crisis when it happens may require different sets of skills. The dynamics between the board and 
management is crucial as well as the level of trust and support. Learn first-hand from the sharing of experience through a chairman and CEO’s perspective on how to prepare when an unpredictable environmental incident invites external scrutiny, negatively impacting the business relationships and reputation with its stakeholders, investors, employees, and the community. Speed is everything - take control of your narrative from the start. The board’s role is crucial to lessen the pressure and ensure the entire organisation moves in the right direction, take bold and brave actions, speak the same language, and do what is right and needed

[ BOLD + BRAVE ] MASTERCLASS #8
Is Now a Good Time for Expansion and M&A? 

Growth opportunities through mergers and acquisitions (M&A) may require fresh strategy, especially with the shift in customer behaviours and expectations, and changing business landscape caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Businesses are exploring M&A to restrategise, strengthen their talent pool, innovate their products, services, operations, as well as supply 
chains. While M&A bags many benefits, there are challenges that leaders should be mindful of. Understand the complexities of cross-border M&A. What is the market outlook in the near to medium term for M&A? What factors to consider (and prepare!) before making your moves – be it 
to merge, acquire, or sell? More importantly, does an M&A make sense for your organisation in the current environment?

SPECIAL HIGHLIGHT #2
Launch of the Legal Opinion on Directors’ Duties & Disclosure Obligations Under the Malaysian Law in The Context of Climate Risks & Considerations
A new legal opinion by Tan Sri Zarinah Anwar, Chairman of the Institute of Corporate Directors Malaysia, and To’ Puan Janet Looi, Senior Partner at Skrine, has shown that fundamentally, directors are legally required to incorporate climate change considerations into their decision-making process. Commissioned by the Commonwealth Climate and Law Initiative (CCLI) (a UK-based non-profit organisation which examines the legal basis for directors and trustees to consider, manage, and report on climate change and broader environmental risks, opportunities and impacts), the legal opinion shows that failure to incorporate climate change is a violation of Malaysian directors’ fiduciary duty, and their duty of due care, skill and diligence.

In this session, the authors of the legal opinion will summarise its key findings, with international context 
provided by the CCLI. This will be followed by a panel discussion on the findings and what they mean for 
company directors

CLOSING REMARK

Michele Kythe Lim, President & CEO of ICDM