ICDM Pulse: Future in Focus

In an era of unprecedented change and disruption, the strength and continuity of an organisation’s leadership are more critical than ever. We’ve all witnessed how quickly market dynamics can shift, and how essential it is to have a robust and adaptable leadership pipeline.

This month, we turn our attention to a topic that is fundamental to long-term organisational success and resilience: Future-Proofing Leadership: Why Succession Planning Starts in the Boardroom. While often perceived as an HR function, effective succession planning is, at its core, a strategic imperative that originates from the highest level of governance. It’s about proactive foresight, identifying and nurturing the next generation of leaders, and ensuring the seamless transition of critical roles.

In this issue, we delve into why the board’s active involvement in succession planning is not just beneficial, but essential for safeguarding an organisation’s future. We’ll explore best practices, key considerations, and the strategic advantages of a boardroom-led approach to talent stewardship.

In this context, I’m also pleased to share that I’ll be joining Tunku Alizakri, former CEO of EPF and current Chair of Collektr, in an upcoming conversation with BFM on leadership transitions and purposeful governance. Details of that conversation can be found below.

As I prepare to hand over the reins at ICDM as of 5 August 2025, this dialogue is especially meaningful—highlighting the importance of forward-looking succession planning at both organisational and national levels. We invite you to tune in and hope you find the insights shared valuable and thought-provoking as we collectively strive to build more resilient and future-ready organisations.

My journey has been one of the most meaningful and rewarding chapters of my career. I am deeply grateful to each and every one of you—our members—for your trust, engagement, and unwavering commitment. Together, we have elevated corporate governance and board effectiveness, laying strong foundations that support our nation’s pursuit of sustainable and responsible leadership.

We’ve built something truly remarkable in a relatively short span of time. While there is still much more ahead, the path forward is bright and full of promise. Jackie Mah, our current Executive Vice President, will be stepping up as the new President & CEO. With her capable leadership and deep understanding of our mission, I know ICDM will continue to thrive. You are in excellent hands.

With that, I bid you farewell—and thank you, once again, from the bottom of my heart.

Catch my upcoming conversation with Tunku Alizakri, former CEO of EPF and current Chair of Collektr, where we’ll explore these themes in greater depth. I’d be honoured if you could tune in.

Channel: BFM
Date/Time: Wednesday, 16 July 2025 @ 11.00am

ICDM Pulse: Winning with a Smart Board

It is with immense pride and a deep sense of accomplishment that I share highlights from our 2025 Annual Report for January – December 2024. This report, reflecting our journey of Being More, encapsulates a year of significant milestones and impact, showcasing our unwavering commitment to shaping stronger boards and driving responsible leadership in Malaysia.

The 2024 Annual Report details ICDM’s remarkable progress and sets the stage for our future direction. Key achievements include:

Community Expansion: We grew to over 1,500 individual members and 127 corporate members, 64% of which represent public-listed companies (PLCs) with the remaining 36% from the private and public sectors.
Programme Delivery & Training: Our dedication to professional development saw us deliver over 500 programmes and train more than 30,000 directors, with increasing participation in flagship development programmes like the Aspiring Directors Immersion Programme® (ADIP®) and Leading for Impact (LIP).
Exceptional Revenue Growth (2024 vs. 2023): We achieved an overall revenue increase of 53%. Specifically, the Leading for Impact (LIP) Programme revenue surged by 172%, Membership and Director Sourcing revenue increased by 52%, Board Remuneration Reviews revenue rose by 56%, Bespoke Programmes revenue grew by 24%, and the Aspiring Directors Immersion Programme® (ADIP®) revenue saw an impressive 211% increase.
Directors Registry: Our registry now features 1,264 pre-screened, board-ready candidates.
Enhanced Female Representation: Female representation within our Directors Registry rose to 38% in 2024, a significant increase from 33% in 2023.

These achievements underscore our progress in empowering boards and directors with forward-thinking mindsets, practical knowledge, and essential competencies.

The ICDM Pulse: The Power of Ethical Leadership

Leading with Integrity: The Cornerstones of Ethical Decision-Making.

In today’s fast-changing and unpredictable world, the true mark of leadership is not just the ability to adapt — but the commitment to lead with integrity. In this issue of the ICDM Pulse, I invite you to reflect with me on why ethical decision-making and ethical leadership are more vital than ever for every director and business leader.

Ethical decision-making is not simply about following policies or ticking compliance boxes. It is about cultivating an inner moral compass — one that remains steady even when the way forward seems unclear. It demands courage, empathy, and a relentless commitment to doing what is right, even when it costs more, takes longer, or when it requires standing alone.

Ethical leadership shapes not just organisations, but legacies. When leaders consistently act with integrity, they inspire trust, build resilient cultures, and light the path for others to follow. They create organisations where people feel safe to speak up, where decisions are made with wisdom and care, and where success is measured not just by profits, but by the positive impact left on people, our society, and the planet.

At ICDM, we believe that strong governance is inseparable from ethical leadership. It is the foundation upon which businesses earn the trust of stakeholders and society. It is how reputations are protected, how value is created, and how leadership is redefined for the future.

If you share this vision, discover how we, as the national Institute of Directors, are committed to empowering you and your boards with the insights, tools, and support needed to strengthen governance, uphold integrity, and lead your organisations boldly into the future.

I firmly believe that together, we can be the standard-bearers of a better, more ethical corporate world — one decision, one action, one boardroom at a time.

The ICDM Pulse | Performance Driven Leadership

Igniting Peak Performance from the Top Down

This month, we focus on a critical driver of organisational success: employee performance. It’s easy to get lost in balance sheets and market trends, but let’s not forget that at the heart of every thriving company are its people. As the saying goes, “Take care of your employees, and they will take care of your business.” This isn’t just a feel-good sentiment; it’s a strategic imperative.

The truth is, boards hold immense power to shape the environment where employees flourish where subtle yet strategic actions at the board level can ripple outwards, profoundly influencing workplace culture, productivity, and overall engagement.

Think about the untapped potential within your organisation. What if every employee felt truly valued, motivated, and aligned with the company’s vision? Imagine the surge in innovation, the boost in customer satisfaction, and the overall competitive edge you’d gain. This isn’t a pipe dream. It’s an achievable reality with the right board-level focus.

ICDM is committed to equipping you with the tools and knowledge to make this a reality. Our Bespoke Programmes and Board & Directors Effectiveness Evaluation (BDEE) are designed to provide your board with actionable insights and strategies to foster a high-performance culture.

Furthermore, our partnership with O-Psych on the Well-being@Work initiative underscores our holistic approach to leadership development, recognising employee and workplace well-being as critical factors for corporate success. During the launch of the 2025 Malaysia Well-being@Work© Index Report, we unveil key findings packed with actionable, data-driven insights.

These insights will empower leaders, HR professionals, and changemakers to enhance employee productivity, engagement, and psychological safety while addressing key psychosocial risks. Discover how these insights can help benchmark your workplace efforts and drive meaningful change.

Don’t leave your company’s greatest asset to chance. Take action today. Reach out to us to discover how ICDM can support your board in unlocking the full potential of your employees. Let’s work together to build a future where your people and your organisation thrive.

The ICDM Pulse: Sustainable Boards

As we step into another dynamic chapter of ICDM’s journey, I would like to share an important update on leadership transition. After seven rewarding years—from our founding to our current achievements—I will be stepping down as President & CEO to pursue other interests. This transition has been part of a long-term succession plan, carefully enacted with the Board of Directors, ensuring stability and continuity in ICDM’s leadership.

Serving as President & CEO of this esteemed organisation has been a profound privilege. I am incredibly proud of the milestones we have achieved together with the ICDM team, and I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support and trust from our members throughout my tenure. Today, ICDM stands stronger than ever, poised for continued success in shaping the corporate governance landscape of Malaysia.

I am delighted to announce that Jackie Mah, our current Executive Vice President, will be succeeding me as President & CEO, effective 5 August 2025. Jackie is a highly respected leader with deep expertise in board and director effectiveness, spanning governance advisory services, strategic insights, and tailored training. Her leadership will be instrumental in addressing emerging trends such as ESG, digital transformation, and board resilience. I have every confidence that under Jackie’s guidance, ICDM will continue to thrive and play a pivotal role in advancing ethical leadership and governance excellence in Malaysia. I urge all members to extend to Jackie the same support and encouragement you have so generously provided me.

As I reflect on this transition, I also want to highlight another critical area of focus for ICDM: sustainability. In today’s rapidly changing business environment, sustainability is no longer a peripheral concern but a strategic imperative for long-term success. As directors, we must integrate ESG principles into our core decision-making processes to drive resilience, value creation, and responsible business practices.

This month, we focus on equipping boards with the necessary insights and tools to lead the charge in sustainable governance. Inside this issue, you will find:

Key Insights on ESG: Understanding the evolving landscape of ESG regulations and expectations.
Board Competency: Strengthening board capabilities in sustainability oversight.
Strategic Integration: Developing robust frameworks for embedding ESG into strategic planning and risk management.
Performance Measurement: Measuring, reporting, and communicating sustainability performance effectively.

Boards have a unique responsibility in steering organisations towards a sustainable future. Through knowledge-sharing and continuous learning, we can collectively build a responsible and resilient business ecosystem. I encourage you to explore this edition’s content and apply the insights to your boardroom discussions.