NUS Launches Prog. to Develop Asian Leadership Pipeline for Finance Sector

As Asia grows, a looming shortage of senior leaders among the region’s financial institutions is expected. The National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School has therefore launched the Asia Leaders in Financial Institutions (ALFI) programmeto equip industry practitioners with the capabilities to assume regional and global responsibilities, including Chief Executive Officer–level leadership and specialist roles. 

The programme is designed for senior directors and managing directors in the financial sector.

Enrolling its first cohort in September 2015, the ALFI programme will feature a curriculum aimed at strengthening thought leadership, professional competencies, and change management skills for turbulent times, while providing rigorous training on transformational product, technological and service innovations. 

This will be done through systematic mentoring by prominent financial leaders from around the world, who are members of the NUS Business School Global Network. Upon graduation, participants will be able to join this Network and have lifetime access to the School’s Executive Education (EE) programmes, activities, services, global CEO roundtables, and continue to enjoy systematic mentoring.

Participants will, over an eight-month period, visit leading financial institutions in cities such as New York, Beijing and Mumbai for meetings with top officials and financial sector leaders 

“Our premise is that visionary and effective leadership is built upon a broad platform, where a sound understanding of the fundamentals is supplemented with exposure to the inspirational journeys of other leaders,” said Professor Bernard Yeung, Dean and Stephen Riady Distinguished Professor at NUS Business School.

Participants will, over an eight-month period, visit leading financial institutions in cities such as New York, Beijing and Mumbai for meetings with top officials and financial sector leaders. They will also be required to complete capstone projects, and take part in global CEO roundtables.

“The financial sector is becoming increasingly complex, and competition forces institutions and management to stretch the boundaries of business innovation and ethical frameworks. Management leaders in the sector require deeper skills, expertise and a clear sense of what is good for the institution, economy and society. ALFI will certainly help establish future leaders who are able to navigate and build financial institutions that will be relevant in the years ahead,” said Mr S Dhanabalan, Chairman of NUS Business School’s Management Advisory Board and Honorary Advisor to Temasek Holdings.

Developed by NUS Business School in partnership with leaders and CEOs in the global business, public and academic arenas, ALFI features several internationally-renowned faculty at NUS Business School, including Dr Duvvuri Subbarao, former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India and Mr Masaaki Shirakawa, former Governor of the Bank of Japan, both of whom are Distinguished Visiting Fellows at the School; Professor Anthony Neoh, former Chief Advisor to the China Securities Regulatory Commission