Event Details

As part of it's regular programme, the ECN organizes the C-suite Congress, a high-level brainstorming and sharing session among Asia's CEOs, designed to stimulate the transfer of insights from one industry to another and to learn strategic best practice, applicable to all companies. These sessions focus directly on the leadership challenges facing the C-suite.


Since 2011 the government of Singapore has placed greater emphasis on developing the "Singapore core," encouraging firms to reduce their reliance on expatriate employees and leaders in favor of a strong locally-based talent pool. The momentum has increased in the last year, with more penalties for companies that appear to favor foreigners over local employees, and more incentives for those who grow local talent.


Developing the Singapore core has recently evolved into not merely a government initiative, but also an important business goal. The cost of bringing in foreign employees, and the obstacles highlighted by the pandemic, have led companies to reconsider their workforce strategy. With a local population that is shrinking and aging, employers need to find ways to increase the contributions and the leadership readiness of the local employees they have, while also expanding the pool of potential talent.


Our C-Suite Congress allows senior business leaders to brainstorm ideas for addressing this challenge. Developing the core requires leaders to first identify common talent gaps and then find ways to address them. While training and other development opportunities can help build skills, companies may also find that diversity and inclusion efforts can enlarge the pool of potential candidates and increase their contribution to the organisation. There are many options for building a strong local workforce and leadership pipeline, and the goal of this session is to help CEOs define the problems they face, then identify methods for solving them.


This event is being held in-person. However, if your company policies do not allow you to join in-person events due to COVID, please contact us and we will seek alternative arrangements for you.

Please note that this event is limited to senior-level executives and per invitation only. If you are not an existing member of The Economist Corporate Network, but would like to learn how you can attend our events, please send an email to ecn_sea@economist.com.

Agenda

12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
Registration and Networking
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Lunch, Presentation, and Discussion

Speakers

  • Carma Elliot (College President at United World College of South East Asia)

    Carma Elliot

    College President at United World College of South East Asia

    Carma joined United World College South East Asia (UWCSEA) in July 2019, as the inaugural College President. UWCSEA is proud to be part of a movement which inspires and is inspired by its students and alumni—to take action and to make a difference locally, nationally and internationally. The College celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2021/22, and Carma is leading colleagues in developing a vision and strategy for the next 50 years.

    A career British diplomat for most of her adult life, Carma worked in a wide variety of roles and across continents, including bilateral politics, trade and investment, education, culture,
    immigration and protocol. Her diplomatic career spanned the UK, Europe, China and Saudi Arabia, where she was the first female Director of Trade and Investment. Her final three postings were as Consul-General in Chongqing (China), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) and Shanghai (China); and as Minister (Culture and Education) in the British Embassy in Beijing while working for the British Council.

    Carma also served as Executive Director at China’s single largest international NGO, Half the Sky Foundation (2010–2013), focused on enriching the lives of China’s orphaned children. Her
    work supported a unique partnership with the Chinese government, developing a training programme for local child welfare workers and towards building a sustainable future for the NGO.

    Throughout her professional life, Carma has affected meaningful change in the government, international education and development sectors in several countries, most recently
    completing a complex business transformation at the British Council in China. Carma has been honoured twice by Her Majesty The Queen, for her service to UK relations with China (2003)
    and in recognition of the success of the UK pavilion at Shanghai Expo (2010).

    Originally from Scotland, Carma is proud to call herself a global citizen. She grew up living in multiple countries and so identifies as a ‘third culture kid’ with formative life experiences that
    will be familiar to many who live and work in Singapore. Through her professional life, she has developed a deep knowledge of the cultural nuances required to successfully navigate and
    create intercultural understanding and an appreciation of the importance of respecting diverse perspectives.

    Carma first visited China as a student at Fudan University in Shanghai in 1984/85. China and Chinese culture remains a passionate interest - as are baking and reading. She is a single
    mother, with two children.

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  • William Thomas (Director, South-east Asia of The Economist Corporate Network)

    William Thomas

    Director, South-east Asia of The Economist Corporate Network

    William Thomas is the Director of the Economist Corporate Network in South-east Asia. An experienced advisor to senior business and government leaders, he helps organisations understand the strategic, operational, and talent implications of geopolitical changes.

    William holds a PhD in public policy from George Mason University in the US, as well as a degree in economics from the University of Virginia and an MBA. His academic research has centered on managing change in large, multinational organisations, with an emphasis on organisational culture.

    William is a retired United States Air Force lieutenant colonel, having spent much of his 21-year career as a strategic planner for complex operations such as humanitarian assistance and counterterrorism. He was Associate Professor of Political Science at the US Air Force Academy, and later taught at Georgetown University in Washington DC and as a Fulbright Scholar at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

    Having worked in Asia since 2012, William has focused on leadership development and organisational change as a consultant, leadership coach, and training facilitator.

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