Companies should aim for ‘cognitive diversity’ in their boards
Diversity goes beyond pure demographics and can’t just be a box-ticking exercise
MANY Singapore-listed companies recognise the need for board diversity, such as by having directors of varied age and gender. Beyond demographics, they should also pursue “cognitive diversity” – ensuring that their board members carry a good mix of knowledge, skill sets and perspectives.
The importance of cognitive diversity was highlighted in the 2025 Singapore Board Diversity Index developed by global advisory WTW, in partnership with the Singapore Institute of Directors and the Singapore campus of James Cook University.
According to the index, Singapore-listed companies are improving in traditional metrics of board diversity.
TRENDING NOW
Think twice about rebuilding that old landed property into a super-big house to max out GFA
SpaceX’s US$1.75 trillion IPO: How retail investors, including those in Singapore, can buy shares
Yeo’s, Tiger Beer and now Gardenia – flight of food manufacturing from Singapore might be just as planned
Battle for Asia’s ultra-rich: ‘Singapore can’t afford to keep losing clients to Dubai, Hong Kong’