Singapore, 20 May 2015 (Tuesday) - TMS Academy, the integrated leadership development arm of Temasek Management Services (TMS) and Singapore Management University (SMU) have been jointly awarded the mandate by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to develop the Asian Financial Leaders Programme (AFLP). The award was recommended by an evaluation panel comprising leaders from the financial sector and MAS, and will be funded by the Financial Sector Development Fund. This programme aims to prepare senior-level talent in Asia’s financial sector including banking, insurance, investments and private equity, to assume leadership positions and handle the growing complexity of Asia’s financial institutions. The AFLP is regarded as the flagship programme for developing Asian financial leaders.

The AFLP will be launched in November 2015 and span 22 days over an eight-month period. It will leverage the strong design and execution expertise of TMS and SMU, and that of an external network of top-tier global partners who will take participants through an impactful learning journey to both developed and emerging markets.  Besides Singapore, participants will attend sessions in China, Indonesia, Switzerland and the United States, at world-renowned institutions, including IMD business school and The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where they will have the opportunity to interact with global thought leaders, eminent practitioners and regulators. Upon completion of the programme, participants will receive three certificates – from TMS-SMU, IMD and Wharton.

Mr Ravi Menon, Managing Director of MAS said, “We want to create a pipeline of Asian finance leaders who understand Asia and can lead Asian financial institutions.  The AFLP will equip finance professionals aspiring to take on C-suite roles in Asian financial institutions with the knowledge to navigate the diverse business, regulatory, and legal environment in the region. Combining academic rigour with industry insights, the programme will cover key issues in finance from a global as well as Asian perspective.  We look forward to the launch of the AFLP.”

The AFLP provides critical insights for senior-level executives in the financial sector to lead and grow their financial institutions.  It also incorporates global and regional perspectives aimed at strengthening participants’ abilities to understand the complexities of both regional and global economic landscapes.  Some of the themes covered will include:

• Macro trends - Regional and Global, Leadership of the Financial Sector
• Global trends in Corporate Governance, Wealth Management
• Growth Strategies, Risk and Alternative Investments
• Operating and Regulatory Environment in Southeast Asia and China
• Technology and Service Excellence  

Another distinct feature is the strong focus on the high-growth Asian financial markets of China and ASEAN.

The AFLP will adopt an integrated pedagogy including an immersion component featuring site visits as well as discussions with regulators, leading financiers, think-tanks and thought leaders in both emerging and developed markets.  It will provide an invaluable opportunity for participants to network with peers from across geographies and industries within the financial sector.

Dr Tan Chin Nam, Chairman of TMS, said, “We are honoured to have been awarded this mandate by MAS jointly with SMU, and to have the opportunity to create a meaningful impact on the future of the Asian financial sector. The AFLP aligns perfectly with TMS Academy’s mission of developing Asian business leaders.”

Professor Arnoud De Meyer, President of SMU, said, “Given our growing trade and financial networks within ASEAN, and with China and India, Singapore is in a unique position to develop deep pools of knowledge of these regions.  SMU is honoured to participate in this endeavour led by MAS to groom senior executives of financial institutions.  Leveraging our University’s academic knowledge and expertise in Asian insights, this programme will enhance the participants’ ability to implement effective strategies in Asia.  We are also proud to partner with TMS on this project.”

TMS and SMU have had an excellent track record in working together on the highly successful Master of Science in Wealth Management, which is ranked second globally by Financial Times (FT) in its Masters in Finance Post-experience Ranking 2013.

More about the AFLP.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Huang Peiling (Ms)

Senior Assistant Director, Corporate Communications

DID: 6828 0964

Email: plhuang [at] smu.edu.sg