Singapore Institute of Directors

What Singapore Institute of Directors does

Singapore Institute of Directors (SID), established in 1998 and headquartered at Capital Tower in Singapore's CBD, is the national professional association for company directors operating as a non-profit membership organization with 11–50 staff. Its core function is to professionalize and accredit directors serving on Singapore-listed, family, nonprofit, and startup boards through a structured portfolio of services: the Director Accreditation Programme (Singapore's first formal director CPD pathway, launched 2024), the SGOOD programme for nonprofit governance (developed with the National Council of Social Service and subsidized by the Charities Capability Fund), Customised Board Programmes delivered through the SID Board Academy, and Board Appointment Services that connect organizations with director candidates via Board Listing, Board Match, and Board Advert.

SID generates revenue through tiered recurring membership subscriptions (Individual ~$300/year entrance-inclusive, Corporate $2,400–$3,400/year covering up to 12 nominees with bundled training vouchers, NonProfit $1,000/year), professional development course fees ($545 for SGOOD modules), event and conference revenue (notably the annual SID Directors Conference), placement fees from Board Match, and publication/index licensing (CG Guides, SGTI, ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard). Go-to-market is sales-led and direct from its Singapore headquarters, supplemented by eight specialty chapters and digital platforms including the SGOOD e-Learning system and quarterly flipbook-format SID Directors Bulletin.

Under former CEO Terence Quek (2022–April 2026) membership grew from 3,300 to 5,500+; Emily Poon succeeded him on 1 May 2026. SID also acts as secretariat of Climate Governance Singapore and engages directly with regulators (ACRA, MAS, SGX) on the Code of Corporate Governance, conferring a quasi-regulatory role that distinguishes it from commercial training providers. Strategic positioning in 2026 has expanded into flagship board-chair platforms (SID Chairpersons Guild with SGX), policy advocacy (joint Budget 2026 proposals with KPMG), and thought-leadership research (SID-Gallup Singapore Workplace Report).

Name

Singapore Institute of Directors

Legal name

Singapore Institute of Directors

Website

https://sid.org.sg

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Singapore Institute of Directors (SID) is the national non-profit professional association for company directors in Singapore, founded 1998, offering director accreditation, governance training, board appointment services, and research indices to a membership of 5,500+ directors across listed, family, startup, and nonprofit boards.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Corporate Governance Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA), Technical Committees, Working Groups & Expert Panels (BPADANAB)

Keywords

• Corporate governance training
• Director professional development
• Board appointment services
• Director accreditation programs
• Nonprofit board governance

Headquarters

HQ city

Singapore

HQ country

Singapore

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Membership Fees: Annual subscription fees for individual director members, with tiered pricing based on membership duration (2, 3, or 5 years) and entrance fees.
2. Corporate Membership Fees: Annual subscription plans for organizations with nominated directors. Corporate Plan ($2,400/year), Corporate Plan with Vouchers ($3,400/year), Corporate 5 Plan with Vouchers ($2,800/year).
3. NonProfit Membership Fees: Annual subscription for nonprofit organizations with complimentary nominee seats and SGOOD programme vouchers.
4. Professional Development Courses: Revenue from director training programmes, workshops, masterclasses, and customized board programmes. Includes Board Readiness Programme, Listed Entity Director Programme, and SGOOD programme.
5. Board Appointment Services: Placement fees for Board Match service connecting organizations with director candidates. Board Listing and Board Advert services also available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Singapore Institute of Directors (SID) is the national professional association for company directors in Singapore, founded in 1998. SID delivers director accreditation, professional development courses, customised board programmes, board appointment services, research indices, and publications to over 5,500 members spanning SGX-listed companies, family businesses, startups, and nonprofit organisations. Its primary offerings are structured around three membership tiers (Individual, Corporate, NonProfit) plus paid training programmes and placement services for directors and boards.

Product overview

Singapore Institute of Directors (SID) operates as a professional membership organisation for company directors, not a traditional software product company. SID offers a portfolio of director development services including the core SID Director Accreditation Programme (a formal exam and CPD pathway), the SGOOD Programme for nonprofit governance, Customised Board Programmes through SID Board Academy, and Board Appointment Services (Board Listing, Board Match, Board Advert). Supporting offerings include the quarterly SID Directors Bulletin publication, research indices (SGTI, ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard), the SID Chairpersons Guild platform, TAC Measurement Framework, Qualified Director Badges, networking Chapters, and annual SID Directors Conference. Membership tiers include Individual, Corporate (with plans up to 12 nominees), and NonProfit memberships, each with associated training vouchers, board listings, and professional development benefits. The organisation also partners with Gallup to produce the annual Singapore Workplace Report. These services function as an integrated ecosystem supporting directors throughout their directorship journey.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SID Director Accreditation Programme A structured accreditation pathway for company directors, including a formal examination and continuous professional development (CPD) requirements covering training, self-improvement, and learning activities. It sets standards for and showcases best practices of good governance and is available to individual directors and corporate members.
• SGOOD (Governance for Outstanding Organisation Directors) Programme A governance training programme designed for nonprofit organisation board members. Developed in collaboration with the National Council of Social Service as part of the GovernWell: Excellence in Charity Leadership initiative. Includes Part 1 e-Learning (10 self-paced modules) and Part 2 In-Person Session, with CCF funding support of up to 80% for eligible charities and IPCs.
• Customised Board Programmes Tailored board development and training programmes for listed companies, MNCs, statutory boards, charities, and nonprofits. Covers board dynamics, strategy, AI governance, ESG, risk management, and financial stewardship. Delivered by experienced faculty with real-world boardroom experience including SID Past Chairs.
• SID Board Academy Bespoke corporate training and whole-of-board services designed to enhance board effectiveness, strategic thinking, and governance clarity. Operates as a sub-brand of SID providing board-wide solutions.
• Board Appointment Services Three services connecting organisations seeking directors with qualified SID members: Board Listing (complimentary listing service to advertise board positions), Board Match (shortlisting candidates for organisations with placement fees), and Board Advert (search firm channel). Used by listed companies, nonprofits, and other organisations including The Food Bank Singapore, RSVP Singapore, and AddVita Pte Ltd.
• SID Membership (Individual, Corporate, NonProfit) Annual subscription membership with three tiers: Individual (from $300/year for aspiring and experienced directors, with multi-year discounts of 5-10%); Corporate (from $2,400/year for up to 12 nominated members, with training voucher options up to $3,000+ value); NonProfit (from $1,000/year for charities and nonprofits, with SGOOD welcome vouchers). Benefits include discounted course rates, members-only resources, networking via SID Chapters, board appointment opportunities, and SID Directors Bulletin access.
• SID Chairpersons Guild A professional platform for board chairs of SGX-listed companies offering networking, expert insights, and peer learning opportunities. Launched in partnership with Singapore Exchange (SGX) with knowledge partners including Heidrick & Struggles, McKinsey & Company, and UBS. Supports the Value Unlock programme via Equip Grant and Elevate Grant schemes.
• Qualified Director Badges A credential recognition system that recognises directors' skills and competencies in specific governance domains, reinforcing credibility and complementing the SID Director Accreditation Programme.

Quantifiable outcome

• Member growth from 3,300 to 5,500+ under CEO Terence Quek (2022-2026)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• GallupflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 June 2026Partnership with Gallup to produce the inaugural SID-Gallup Singapore Workplace Report 2026, examining employee engagement in Singapore. The report found only 14% of Singapore employees engaged at work, with 86% disengaged costing US$73.6 billion in lost productivity annually.
• Singapore Management University (SMU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 June 2026SID partnering with SMU to launch a module on strategic human capital stewardship in Q4 2026, addressing manager capability development identified as key priority in Singapore Workplace Report.
• Climate Governance SingaporecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 June 2026SID serves as secretariat of Climate Governance Singapore, at forefront of efforts to drive climate action on boards.
• National Council of Social Service (NCSS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2026SGOOD 2.0 Programme developed in collaboration with NCSS as part of GovernWell: Excellence in Charity Leadership initiative launched by Commissioner of Charities and Charity Council.
• Enterprise SingaporecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2026Collaboration on TAC Alliance 2.0 initiatives including TAC Measurement Framework (self-diagnostic tool for trade associations) to strengthen TAC sector governance amid global economic uncertainties.
• Singapore Business Federation (SBF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2026SID launching Qualified TAC Director Badge as part of SBF's TAC Alliance 2.0 refresh to enhance capabilities and governance of trade associations and chambers in Singapore.
• Singapore Exchange (SGX)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 January 2026SID launching SID Chairpersons Guild as professional platform for board chairs of SGX-listed companies, supporting Value Unlock programme. Minister Chee Hong Tat announced Equip Grant and Elevate Grant schemes under Value Unlock.
• Heidrick & StrugglesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 January 2026Knowledge partner for SID Chairpersons Guild providing networking, expert insights, and peer learning opportunities for board chairs of SGX-listed companies.
• McKinsey & CompanyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 January 2026Knowledge partner for SID Chairpersons Guild providing global experts and insights for board chairs of SGX-listed companies.
• UBSminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 January 2026Knowledge partner for SID Chairpersons Guild providing expert insights and peer learning for board chairs of SGX-listed companies.
• KPMG in SingaporecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 January 2026Joint Budget 2026 Proposal titled 'Prospering in a New Global Landscape' with recommendations to strengthen Singapore as hub for global flows of goods, capital, data, and talent. Survey of over 1,000 professionals informed proposals including AI governance training fund for board directors.
• ACRAminorOthersAccounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority supported development of CG Guides for Boards in Singapore.
• Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)minorOthersMAS supported development of CG Guides for Boards in Singapore.
• DeloitteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Singapore Directorship Report 2025 providing snapshot of board practices and governance trends across SGX-listed firms.
• HandshakesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Singapore Directorship Report 2025 on board practices and governance trends.
• Singapore Institute of TechnologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Singapore Directorship Report 2025 with support from ACRA and SGX.
• Commissioner of CharitiescoreOthersSID collaborates with Commissioner of Charities and Charity Council on GovernWell initiative for charity governance excellence.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Institute of Directors (UK): The UK's chartered national body for company directors offering accreditation, CPD, board appointment services, and policy advocacy. Closely mirrors SID's mission, membership-based model, and regulator engagement.
• Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD): Australia's national association for directors offering the Company Directors Course, governance certifications, and director placement services. Operates a near-identical accreditation and membership model to SID with comparable segment coverage of ASX-listed and nonprofit boards.
• National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD): US-based member organisation for corporate directors providing education, certification (NACD Directorship Certification), and director education research. Closest US analogue to SID's accreditation and member-development model.

Regional players

• Hong Kong Institute of Directors (HKloD): Hong Kong's national association for directors, providing director certification and professional development to HK-listed company boards. Most directly comparable Asia-Pacific peer, though focused on the HK regulatory environment rather than Singapore's.
• Institute of Corporate Directors Malaysia (ICDM): Malaysia's national institute for corporate directors offering director certification and governance training to Bursa Malaysia-listed companies. Operates a similar accreditation-led membership model in a neighbouring ASEAN jurisdiction.
• Canadian Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD): Canada's national director association delivering the ICD.D designation and board education services. Comparable in mission and accreditation-centric offering, though operating in a different regulatory and geographic context.

Broad incumbents

• Diligent Corporation: Global provider of board governance software (board portals, entity management, ESG reporting) serving directors and governance teams. Overlaps with SID's board-effectiveness mission but delivers technology rather than in-person accreditation and networking.

Others

• Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm with a dedicated Board of Directors practice. A knowledge partner for SID's Chairpersons Guild, offering board effectiveness and director placement services that overlap with SID's Board Appointment Services and SID Board Academy.
• Spencer Stuart: Global executive search and board advisory firm whose Board Practice advises listed companies on director recruitment, assessment, and governance. Overlaps with SID's Board Match and Board Listing services in the Singapore market.
• Singapore Business Federation (SBF): Singapore's apex business chamber co-driving the TAC Alliance 2.0 initiative with SID. Adjacent in serving Singapore's business community but with broader trade and policy remit rather than director-specific accreditation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/singapore-institute-of-directors

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Singapore Institute of Directors