Governance review should address quality, diversity and engagement

QUALITY reporting, shareholder engagement and board diversity should be the key priorities as a newly formed 19-member committee reviews the Code of Corporate Governance.

The Code, which was last revised in 2012, guides the boards of Singapore's listed companies on how best to discharge their duties. The Singapore Code is enforced on a "comply or explain" basis, which means that companies may choose not to follow the Code's recommendations, but must explain deviations when they occur.

In the five years since the last revision, much has changed in the business landscape and in global governance trends. Dual-class shares, sustainability reporting, the digital economy and growing shareholder activism are the new issues of the day.