[10 May 2010]
Human Capital Leadership Institute to pioneer talent & human capital development for Asia

Singapore, 10 May 2010 – The new Human Capital Leadership Institute (HCLI), spearheaded by Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in partnership with the Singapore Management University (SMU), was officially launched today. HCLI aims to be the global talent and leadership hub in Asia that will provide knowledge and advice on emerging talent management and leadership development issues for global companies who wish to enter the Asian market, as well as Asian companies who want to adopt human capital and leadership strategies to compete at the global stage. HCLI will generate new ideas, practices and strategies on talent management and leadership out of Singapore, contextualise them for Asia, and help companies apply them throughout the region. In addition, with its research arm, HCLI will offer a unique value proposition in helping companies translate the best talent and leadership ideas into practical strategies.

HCLI to adopt four-pronged strategic approach:

? Best-in-class Executive Education
HCLI will offer executive education and masterclasses in human capital management and leadership development. HCLI will be launching an iconic “Singapore Business Leaders Programme” (SBLP) for promising business leaders who are expected to take on regional or global C-suite responsibilities. It will cover core components on the business and strategic landscape in Asia, including Asian leadership attributes, challenges of global business leaders coming to Asia and challenges of Asian companies expanding globally, and characteristics of the Asian workforce.

? Premier Asian Events
To provide a human capital and leadership sharing platform across Asia, HCLI will play a key role to shape the content of the Singapore Human Capital Summit held this year from 29 to 30 September at Resorts World Sentosa. This is an annual gathering of world business, practice and thought leaders to discuss and share human capital strategies and practices as well as form the necessary networks to establish new connections. At this premier event, HCLI will be involved in the judging of the annual Asia Human Capital Award which recognises innovative and impactful people strategies created or adopted by Asia-based organisations.

? Asian Research and Publications
HCLI will work with the academia, companies and consulting firms to drive research and develop case studies to advance Asian human capital thought and practice leadership. The output of such research initiatives and case studies, together with thought and practice leadership articles, interviews with global private and public sector leaders, will be published in a bi-annual journal to showcase the latest solutions and applications of best practices for companies operating in Asia.

? Industry Engagement and Networking
Leading international thought and practice leaders will be engaged in discussions on the best in global HR trends through “Executive Roundtable” sessions held annually. Industry engagement will include follow-through practice programmes to help companies translate research and thought leadership into implementable work processes.

Officiating the launch of HCLI this morning, Minister for Manpower, Mr Gan Kim Yong said, “HCLI will be the global talent and leadership hub for Asia in Asia to provide knowledge and advice on emerging talent management trends and leadership development issues. This will benefit global companies who wish to enter the Asian market, as well as growing Asian companies seeking to enhance their human capital and leadership strategies to compete on the global stage. As an institution centered on thought leadership and talent development, HCLI will generate innovative talent management ideas, practices and strategies out of Singapore to be contextualised for Asia.”

Professor Howard Hunter, President of SMU added, “Since its inception, the Singapore Management University believes and has been committed to talent development. HCLI will bring together the expertise for companies operating in Asia to meet their unique leadership development needs. The Institute will also provide a networking platform for top leaders and Chief Human Resource Officers in Asia to exchange insights and generate ideas. With our close links with the industry, we are honoured to be able to serve businesses in yet another way.”

The Institute will also collaborate with EDB to enhance Singapore's goal to be a Home for Talent. “HCLI will play a strategic role within LINK @ Nepal Hill by integrating global thought leadership and research initiatives, into cutting edge talent and leadership development programmes. This will enhance Singapore's position as a global leadership development hub in Asia for Asia, and also contribute to EDB's strategy to develop Singapore into a Home for Talent for global companies and Asian enterprises alike, says Mr Leo Yip, Chairman of the EDB.

The newly appointed Chairman of HCLI, Mr Sunny Verghese, said, “I am deeply honoured to be part of this exciting new institution, which is the first of its kind in Singapore to provide leadership in human capital management. Global talent forms an integral pillar of any country's economy. CEOs and business leaders are placing increasing emphasis in developing capabilities to manage human capital at a strategic level. HCLI's establishment is indeed timely, to leverage on the rich, untapped talent and human capital in Asia. I am confident that my council members, with their vast knowledge, insights and experience, will be able to provide the strategic direction for HCLI to be a catalyst to human capital development in Asia.”

HCLI's Governing Council

HCLI will be advised by a Governing Council made up of academics and professionals from MOM, SMU and EDB and business leaders representing a cross–section of industries. The appointment of the Council will come into effect from May 2010 on a two year term basis. The Council is chaired by Mr Sunny Verghese, Group Managing Director and CEO of Olam International Limited. MOM's Permanent Secretary Mr Loh Khum Yean and EDB's Chairman will serve as HCLI's Deputy Chairs. For more information on the Council members, please refer to Annex A.

HCLI has been in operations since February 2010. It will relocate from its current home at SMU to its new permanent home at the LINK @ Nepal Hill in August 2010. For more information on the HCLI logo, please refer to Annex B.

About the Human Capital Leadership Institute

Spearheaded by Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the new Human Capital Leadership Institute (HCLI) is set up in partnership with the Singapore Management University (SMU) with an aim to become the premier institution for raising human capital management capabilities in Asia. HCLI will also collaborate with the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) to enhance Singapore's goal as a Home for Talent . Apart from raising strategic human capital capabilities at the executive level, the Institute aims to develop human capital thought leadership, and provide insights and solutions for emerging industry challenges in this field. It aims to achieve this through executive education programmes, premier Asian events, pan-Asian research and publications and industry engagement and networking. For more information on HCLI please visit www.smu.edu.sg/institutes/hcli