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‘The talent is there’: Is Singapore’s push for board diversity turning a corner?

Progress has been made, but questions remain over whether inclusion is now structural or still symbolic

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Ranamita Chakraborty

Ranamita Chakraborty

Published Fri, Oct 10, 2025 · 03:00 PM
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    • Singapore has boosted women’s presence in boardrooms without resorting to quotas – an achievement built on persuasion instead of prescription.
    • Globally, including in Singapore, companies are grappling with how to reshape their boards and increase women’s representation.
    • Singapore has boosted women’s presence in boardrooms without resorting to quotas – an achievement built on persuasion instead of prescription. ILLUSTRATION: MARIO MONREAL, BT
    • Globally, including in Singapore, companies are grappling with how to reshape their boards and increase women’s representation. ILLUSTRATION: KEW KEAT BOON, BT

    [SINGAPORE] With women occupying barely a quarter of board positions in the largest Singapore-listed firms, Carol Fong is among the few female directors who have made it to the top.

    The 64-year-old independent non-executive director at City Developments Ltd and group chief executive officer of CGS International Securities has spent more than three decades navigating the male-dominated world of finance.

    Carol Fong, independent non-executive director at City Developments Ltd and group CEO of CGS International Securities, is encouraged by Singapore’s progress in board diversity. PHOTO: CGS INTERNATIONAL

    Fong says that she is encouraged by the progress made so far, with Singapore making “commendable strides” in board diversity, particularly in raising awareness and increasing female representation.

    Board diversityBrunch

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