Singapore Boards Get a Little More Gender‑Balanced – But There’s Still Work Ahead
Breaking the All‑Male Barrier
In a neat little win for women in the corporate world, half of Singapore‑listed companies now have at least one female board member. Yes, that’s right – the old all‑male line has finally bled into the 50‑percent tolerance zone. Until recently, every two‑out‑of‑three boards were all‑masculine, but now we’re watching a vase of women appear on a lot of glass coffee tables.
Numbers that Watched the Tide Turn
- By the end of June 2018, 49 % of boards were still all‑male, a direct drop from the 50‑percent mark hit at the close of 2017.
- With the same flat split between all‑male and at‑least‑one‑woman boards back in December 2017, the shift feels like a quiet coup.
- Women have been inching up the ladder: 10.8 % of board seats in June 2017, 11.2 % by June 2018, edging toward the fuzzy 20 % “goal‑post” set by some national ambitions.
Experts See the Bigger Picture
Professor Lawrence Loh of NUS declared the moment “off‑the‑charts” for progress. “It’s a milestone,” he said, “but now we need to move beyond numbers. Companies should see that diversity at the top is not just a good buzzword, it’s a sound business strategy.”
Why It Matters
Between the last decade and now, the trend has shown a steady climb in women’s participation on boards. It’s a sign that the corporate heart in Singapore is beating with a little more buzz from different ears and eyes. While we’re proud of the 50‑percent swing, the road to 20 % remains long, and the journey ahead will need both policy nudges and a shift in boardroom culture.
Let’s Keep the Momentum Going
We’ll keep an eye on how the boardroom’s dynamics evolve. Every new female director is a tiny yet vital step toward a more equitable corporate Spain, and the conversations here are just beginning. Good luck, everyone!
Singapore’s Women on Boards: Where Are We?
Good news, folks—we’re making strides. But alas, the 20 % women‑in‑boards buzzword from the DAC is still shy of a reality for most Singapore‑listed companies. The next goal? 25 % by 2025 and 30 % by 2030. Pretty ambitious, isn’t it?
Top 100 Leverage The Momentum
- Women now hold 14.7 % of board seats in the 100 biggest firms—up from 13.1 % in 2017 and 12.2 % the year before.
- Only 27 of those 100 have all-male boards—fewer than the 32 we had just six months ago.
Loh Boon Chye’s Optimism
“If the pace catches up, the Top 100 will lead the pack, hitting the DAC’s first target before others follow suit,” Loh Boon Chye, DAC chair and SGX CEO declared.
Breaking the Pipeline of “Friends & Family”
It seems companies are actively hunting women talent rather than just appeasing insiders. Independent directors among the 100 largest firms now represent 16.1 %—a jump from 14.3 % in December and 12.6 % a year earlier.
Regulatory Boosts on the Horizon
- Proposed corporate governance changes could enforce diversity targets and reports on progress.
- A nine‑year term limit for independents might open new chairs for women. 101 independents in the Top 100 have already served nine years or more.
Rachel Eng: From Lawyer to Diversity Champion
“The urgency is real—companies suddenly ask, ‘Can you be a director?’ right after SGX listings,” says veteran corporate lawyer Rachel Eng. (Note: She’s not currently on any board, heading PwC’s legal arm.)
Finding Women Beyond Male‑Dominated Circles
Eng stresses, “If a woman is outside those male networks, she’s invisible. Companies should co‑opt women onto nominating committees to tap that talent pool.”
Is the Inflection Point Reached?
Eng’s verdict: “We’re moving fast, but we haven’t hit the tipping point yet. Still, the momentum’s great—let’s keep riding it.”
When you’ll see a full 30 % of board seats occupied by women? Only time, but at least the trajectory is now on caffeine‑boosted packs. Cheers to progress, Singapore!
