SMU is one of the “strategic” partners of the Human Capital Leadership Institute (HCLI), with the government wanting it to play a big role in Singapore’s future by grooming tomorrow’s leaders in people management and to make Singapore an Asian talent hub. The institute was rolled out in 2010 and Mr Kwan Chee Wei was hired as its Executive Director. He and his small team of seven staff members – which has since swelled to more than 30 – had relatively little time to build it up as a thought leader in human capital, but it helped that HCLI had strong leaders. With their backing, Mr Kwan said that it has launched many programmes, including its flagship platforms. These have not only raised HCLI’s profile, but also have had a positive snowball effect on the whole human capital business in the region.