ICDM Calls for Deeper Behavioural Shifts to Enable Better Board Decisions
Emphasises a structured effort and commitment to prepare competent, board-ready talent and close collaboration with Board Nomination and Remuneration Committees to facilitate access beyond familiar networks
From left to right: Jackie Mah, President & Chief Executive Officer of ICDM, Tan Sri Zarinah Anwar, Chairman of the ICDM Board, Dato' Fad'l Mohamed, Chief Executive Officer of Bursa Malaysia Berhad, Yuzaidi Yusoff, Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad, Dr Kalanithi Nesaratnam, Independent Non-Executive Director for IOI Corp Bhd and Tan Chong Motor Holdings Bhd, Khoo Ghaik Bee, Independent Non-Executive Director for Axiata Group Berhad, Sujatha Sekhar Naik, Independent Non-Executive Director of the Financial Markets Ombudsman Service (FMOS)
Kuala Lumpur, 1 September 2026 – The Institute of Corporate Directors Malaysia (“ICDM” or “the Institute”) called for deeper behavioural shifts in matters such as board composition, diversity of thought, director independence and the quality of boardroom challenge. Ultimately, the effectiveness of future boards will be shaped by the strength of the director pipeline - and how deliberately organisations identify, develop and appoint the next generation of directors.
Today marks a milestone as ICDM celebrate 67 graduates from ICDM’s Aspiring Director Immersion Programme (ADIP®) latest cohorts, a flagship initiative designed to prepare senior leaders and aspiring directors for what board service truly demands. Through board simulations, practical case studies, peer learning and engagement with experienced directors, ADIP® aims to builds the governance knowledge, judgement and the leadership perspective needed to contribute effectively at board level. Since its launch, ADIP® has graduated 111 participants across six (6) cohorts, bringing together a diverse pipeline of candidates - different generations, genders, experiences and areas of expertise to broaden perspectives, strengthen boardroom challenge and shape the boards of tomorrow.
A stronger director pipeline must also be a broader one - drawing talent across gender, sectors and experience to reshape the perspectives around tomorrow’s board tables. Across the graduates from ADIP® Cohorts 3 to 6, gender representation has been 50:50, from a broad range of ages and experience, with close to 40% coming from critical sectors including financial services, insurance, technology, digital and telecommunications.
Delivering the Opening Remarks at ADIP®’s Graduation Ceremony and Advocacy Dialogue on key Board Nomination and Remuneration Committees (BNRCs) issues, Tan Sri Zarinah Anwar, Chairman of the ICDM Board said, “Ultimately, the effectiveness of tomorrow’s boards will be determined by the strength of the director pipeline—and by how intentionally organisations identify, develop and prepare the next generation of directors for the responsibilities of stewardship.”
Marking the occasion with the presentation of certificates to the ADIP® graduates, Dato' Fad'l Mohamed, Chief Executive Officer of Bursa Malaysia Berhad, said “As business challenges become more complex and interconnected, the quality of boardroom judgement becomes increasingly important to a company’s ability to navigate change and create long-term value. That judgement is shaped by the skills, experience and perspectives around the table, which makes board composition and succession planning a strategic priority. Programmes such as ADIP help strengthen the pipeline of board-ready talent, giving companies greater depth of capability to support effective governance and organisational resilience.”
Held alongside the graduation ceremony, ICDM’s advocacy dialogue titled "The Board Behind the Board: Reframing BNRCs for Renewal, Readiness and Trust” featured BNRC experts including Khoo Gaik Bee, Senior Independent Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the BNRC of Axiata Group Berhad; Dr Nesaretnam Kalanithi, Independent Non-Executive Director and Member of the BNRC of IOI Group; and Mohd Yuzaidi Yusoff, Senior Independent Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the BNRC of Bank Islam explored how BNRCs can strengthen succession and board renewal, build capabilities for emerging priorities, and balance experience with fresh perspectives while widening the director pipeline without compromising quality.
Jackie Mah, President & Chief Executive Officer of ICDM concluded, “I believe one of the hardest calls for BNRCs today is knowing what to preserve and what to renew. Experience and institutional memory are valuable, but boards also need fresh perspectives and capabilities that reflect where the organisation is heading. And if we are serious about widening the pipeline, we cannot judge first-time directors simply by the board seats they have already held. We need to look at the judgement, integrity, expertise and readiness they can bring to their first one.”
Since inception, ICDM has supported directors at every stage of their journey - from aspiring and first-time directors to experienced board leaders. To date, we have trained more than 46,000 directors, screened over 500 candidates for board-readiness, mentored 114 members and facilitated 103 board placements, including 17 first-time directors. Importantly, 16 ADIP® graduates have also gone on to secure board seats - demonstrating how structured development can translate into real boardroom opportunities.
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About the Institute of Corporate Directors Malaysia (ICDM):
The Institute of Corporate Directors Malaysia (ICDM) is a membership-based organisation whose mandate is to professionalise directorship in Malaysia. As the national institute of directors (IoD), ICDM is committed to providing continuous professional development - empowering boards and directors with forward-thinking mindsets, practical knowledge and essential competencies. Established by the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) and supported by Bank Negara Malaysia, Bursa Malaysia and the Capital Market Development Fund (CMDF), ICDM’s goal is to be the leading influence of excellence in governance and to build a robust corporate governance culture in Malaysia. For more information on ICDM, please visit our website at www.icdm.com.my
For any media enquiries, please contact:
Praleena Gengatharan
ICDM Branding & Communications
M: +6012-516 6120
E: praleena@icdm.com.my
Nur Amalia Rosshaimi
Narro Communications
M: +6017-630 0314
E: amalia@narrocomms.com
Feedback from Directors Graduating from ADIP®
"I sat in front of boards for most of my career with twenty years of technical depth, but I quickly realised that boardroom governance requires a completely different craft. In an operating role, the fastest person in the room is the most valuable. On a board, the fastest person in the room is a risk. ADIP took away old operational habits and prepared me to enter the boardroom with the nerve to ask the uncomfortable question, and the judgement to know which one it is."
Ms. Stephanie Liew, Independent Non-Executive Director of Top Glove Corporation Berhad & ADIP® Graduate
"When I made the decision to step into board governance, ICDM provided clear guidance on how to prepare for the role and introduced me to the ADIP® programme. The biggest shift has been moving from an operational executive mindset into a role focused on advisory and oversight. The programme provided the insight and preparation needed to navigate that transition effectively."
Ms. Kam Wai Peng, Independent Non-Executive Director of Southern Score Builders Berhad & ADIP® Graduate
