Frequently Asked Questions

  • The SID Board Academy is the board-focused development arm of the Singapore Institute of Directors (SID), providing board-wide solutions that help boards improve effectiveness, governance, and strategic alignment.

    Building on SID’s 27-year legacy in governance and director development, the Academy focuses on full-board transformation through tailored programmes that strengthen board dynamics, refresh governance practices, build board culture and align boards around long-term strategy and performance.

    With a global faculty of practising directors and governance experts, the Academy designs bespoke interventions for boards across listed companies, large private enterprises, family businesses and public institutions in Singapore and internationally.

  • The SID Board Academy is a brand and an initiative under the Singapore Institute of Directors (SID).

    SID delivers open-enrolment programmes for individual directors, while the Academy focuses on board-wide, customised programmes commissioned by organisations for their boards.

    In summary:

    • SID programmes: for individual directors and members 

    • SID Board Academy programmes: for entire boards, designed in consultation with organisations

  • The SID Board Academy is a newly formalised initiative under SID, launched in January 2026.

    However, SID has already been delivering customised board development programmes over the past two years. The Academy consolidates and strengthens these offerings under a dedicated platform and structured framework.

  • SID’s open programmes are designed for individual directors.

    In contrast, SID Board Academy programmes:

    • Are commissioned by organisations

    • Are developed in consultation with the client board

    • Address specific governance, performance or board development needs

    • Are delivered collectively to the board

  • The Academy differentiates itself through:

    • Practising faculty with real board experience 

    • Board-wide design approach tailored to each organisation 

    • Structured diagnostics and programme design process 

    • Institutional credibility through SID’s governance legacy

    Unlike many consultants, the Academy’s programmes are grounded in practical boardroom experience and applied governance.

  • The SID Board Academy itself is not a membership organisation. It operates as the board-focused development arm of SID, working with organisations and boards that commission customised programmes.

  • SID members may benefit from the Academy in several ways.

    First, SID members who serve on boards may introduce their organisations to the Academy for customised board development programmes.

    Second, the Academy may draw on SID’s membership base of more than 5,500 members to identify suitable faculty or subject matter experts for specific programmes.

About the Academy

Programmes and Services

  • The Academy offers a range of board-wide solutions, including:

    These programmes may be delivered as standalone sessions or integrated into board retreats or meetings.

  • Programmes include:

    • Customised board governance workshops

    • Board–management dynamics sessions

    • Risk oversight training

    • Sustainability and AI governance programmes

    • Sector-specific governance programmes

    • Board simulations

    • Structured learning pathways

  • Bespoke programmes are customised board development programmes designed for a specific organisation and its board. They are co-developed with the client to address governance challenges, capability gaps and strategic priorities. Delivery is tailored to the board’s context and may take place during board meetings or retreats.

    Typical focus areas include governance practices, risk oversight, board–management dynamics and emerging strategic issues.

  • The Academy follows a structured four-step process:

    1. Engage – Work with the client to understand the board’s context and needs 

    2. Diagnose – Identify key development priorities and appropriate interventions 

    3. Design – Co-create the programme with domain experts and faculty  

    4. Deliver – Deliver the programme through experienced faculty

  • Board simulations are experiential learning sessions where boards engage in realistic governance scenarios to strengthen decision-making, dynamics and oversight.

  • Structured programmes are curated learning pathways developed either independently by the Academy or in collaboration with partner institutions to build long-term board capabilities. Examples include:

    SID-IoD Accelerated Certificate in Company Direction

    IBF Cambodia Accredited Director Program

    Vietstar International Directors Programme

  • Partners include institutions such as the Institute of Directors UK (IoD), where the Academy delivers the Accelerated Certificate in Company Direction Programme in Singapore. This marks IoD’s inaugural collaboration with an Asian director institute to bring world-class board education closer to directors based in the region. The programme also provides direct progression to the Diploma in Company Direction – the next stage of the Chartered Director pathway. 

    Another example is the Institute of Banking and Finance Cambodia (IBF Cambodia), where the Academy co-develops governance training pathways for board directors of Cambodian financial institutions.

    The Academy continues to explore partnerships with regional and global institutions to strengthen governance capability building.

  • Programmes can be delivered in-person, virtually, or in hybrid formats depending on client needs.

  • Varies depending on the board, typically aligned to the size of the organisation’s board and leadership team.

  • Programme duration may vary depending on the board’s needs. It may be delivered as single sessions, multi-session workshops or longer structured pathways depending on the requirement.

Faculty and Expertise

  • The Academy works with a global network of associate faculty who are practising or former board directors and governance experts.

  • A key differentiator of the Academy is that most faculty members are current or former board directors. They bring direct board experience, offering practical insight into governance, strategy and board effectiveness across various industry sectors.

  • Yes. Many faculty members are current or former board directors with practical boardroom experience and international governance exposure.

  • The Academy team has expertise in corporate programme design and delivery. The team works closely with associate faculty who are domain experts to develop programme content.

    It also draws on SID’s network of more than 5,500 members to identify and curate relevant experts for each programme based on expertise, experience and availability.

  • While the Academy works closely with boards to diagnose development needs and design tailored programmes, its primary focus is board education and capability development rather than traditional consulting.

Who We Work With

  • The Academy works with a wide range of organisations, including:

    • SGX-listed companies

    • International listed companies

    • Family-owned businesses

    • Financial institutions

    • Government-linked organisations

    • Non-profit and charities

  • Yes. The Academy works with both family-owned businesses and listed companies, tailoring programmes to the governance needs and maturity of the organisation.

  • Yes. The Academy collaborates with regional and international organisations and institutions across Asia and beyond.

  • Programmes are primarily designed for boards, though selected sessions may involve senior executives where relevant to board–management alignment.

Working with the Academy

  • Organisations may contact the SID Board Academy team at boardacademy@sid.org.sg to explore customised board programmes.

    More information is also available on the SID Board Academy website: www.sidboardacademy.com

  • Organisations can contact SID or the SID Board Academy to discuss their board development needs and explore customised programmes.

    Email:

    boardacademy@sid.org.sg

    learning@sid.org.sg

  • The engagement typically follows the Academy’s four-step design process:

    1. Engage with the client

    2. Diagnose development needs

    3. Design the programme with domain experts

    4. Deliver the programme through experienced faculty

Track Record and Partnerships

  • Yes. The Academy has partnered with a number of regional and international institutions. 

    One example is the Institute of Banking and Finance Cambodia (IBF Cambodia), IBF Cambodia, where the Academy co-develops governance training pathways for board directors of financial institutions in Cambodia.

    The Academy has also partnered with Institute of Directors UK (IoD) to deliver the Accelerated Certificate in Company Direction Programme in Singapore. This programme offers direct progression to the Diploma in Company Direction, the next stage of the Chartered Director pathway. 

    The Academy continues to explore partnerships with regional and global institutions to strengthen governance capability building.