The Singapore Board Diversity Index highlights the current state of board diversity within Singapore companies, across multiple attributes of diversity – age, gender, industry experience, domain or functional expertise, international experience, cultural ethnicity, board independence, and the tenure of directors. This 2025 version, an update of the 2020 study, was initiated in February 2024 – this kicked off an almost year-long process of data collection and analysis.

JCU Singapore’s role in the study was to ensure the quality and accuracy of the dataset used in the report. Its faculty members guided the university’s MBA and PhD students in collecting and structuring firm-level data for the Index. The students analysed publicly available information from 553 companies with primary listing on the SGX and Catalist. This data was then compiled and provided to WTW, where it underwent further in-depth analysis and evaluation.

This collaboration is a result of JCU Singapore’s ongoing efforts to build industry connections that provide students with opportunities to apply their academic knowledge in professional settings. Working with SID and WTW provided Business School students with valuable exposure to corporate research while supporting broader efforts in diversity and governance. The data collected was also incorporated into their Applied Research Projects, further reinforcing the practical applications of their studies.

“Our work on this project demonstrates the power of partnerships. Collaborating with SID and WTW has provided us with an opportunity to apply our academic expertise in a way that directly supports the corporate community’s commitment to diversity and governance best practices,” says Professor Carole-Anne Upton, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of James Cook University’s Singapore campus.

Find out more about the 2025 Singapore Board Diversity Index here.

Find out more about the Singapore campus of James Cook University.

Discover further information on areas of research, and research strength at James Cook University in Singapore.

Contacts

Associate Professor Huiping Zhang huiping.zhang@jcu.edu.au

Media: Ms Pinky Sibal pinky.sibal@jcu.edu.au / Ms Hoe Shu Rin shurin.hoe@jcu.edu.au