Future: Skills Asia

08:30 AM - 09:00 AM SGT

Registrations

Registration opens for all attendees.

09:00 AM - 09:10 AM SGT

Welcome & Stage-setting: Skills Are The New Gold

In today’s business world, an organization's value lies in its people’s skills. As technology evolves, traditional roles change. To stay competitive, companies must focus on developing future skills. Leaders, foster continuous learning, invest in upskilling, and prepare for tomorrow by shaping it today.

Sandhya Karpe, Leader, Human Capital Center, Asia, The Conference Board Asia-Pacific

09:10 AM - 09:30 AM SGT

Opening Address: From a CEO’s Lens: Right-Skilling Talent for the Business

Explore how CEOs are driving right-skilling initiatives to align talent with business needs, ensuring agility and competitiveness in a rapidly changing market. Discover strategies to equip your workforce with the right skills for future success.

Ng Tian Chong, CEO, Singtel Singapore

09:30 AM - 09:40 AM SGT

Table Talk

White space for self-introductions.

09:40 AM - 10:00 AM SGT

The Future of Skills

This session delves into how organizations can navigate the evolving landscape by focusing on the development of future-ready skills. It will cover emerging trends, the necessity of continuous learning, and effective strategies for upskilling and reskilling to maintain a competitive edge.

10:05 AM - 10:15 AM SGT

Q&A Session

Join us for an engaging Q&A session with experts from the conference.

10:15 AM - 10:45 AM SGT

Networking Break

An opportunity to connect with fellow attendees during our networking break to exchange ideas and discuss insights from the sessions.

10:45 AM - 11:20 AM SGT

The Skills Advantage: The Why, What & How of Future Skilling

Explore the critical trends shaping jobs, skills, and AI, and learn how to effectively evaluate and implement reskilling strategies. This session delves into the importance of adopting a human-centered, sustainable, and scalable approach to future skilling, ensuring your workforce is prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.

Anish Lalchandani, Global Head of Talent Management, A.P. Moller-Maersk

11:20 AM - 11:30 AM SGT

Table Talk

Engage and Inspire - This session will provide 3 guiding questions for attendees.

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM SGT

Building an Agile Workforce: Skills-Based Talent Management

This session will cover strategies for creating flexibility through structured training, internal mobility, and upskilling. Learn how transforming roles can boost employee engagement, improve service scores, and reduce turnover, all while aligning with future skills and talent flexibility. Join us for practical insights on enriching roles and maximizing internal talent.

Andrew Newmark, Chief Human Resources Officer – Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International Inc.$

Marion Devine, Senior Human Capital Researcher, Europe, The Conference Board Europe

Gurpreet Grewal, Asia Talent Management Program Director, The Conference Board Asia-Pacific

12:30 PM - 01:15 PM SGT

Lunch & Networking

All participants will have the opportunity to connect with new contacts or reconnect with familiar faces over lunch.

01:15 PM - 01:25 PM SGT

Introduce Elective Sessions & Process

Attendees will be briefed on afternoon elective sessions and how to participate. The elective breakout sessions will cover: A - Is your Talent Digitally Fluent: Digital & AI Skill-building B - People and Sustainability C - The Hard Work of Building Soft Skills D - Building Inclusive Culture

Sandhya Karpe, Leader, Human Capital Center, Asia, The Conference Board Asia-Pacific

01:25 PM - 02:25 PM SGT

A: Is your Talent Digitally Fluent? Digital & AI Skill-building

Explore FedEx’s journey in building digital capabilities across its workforce. This session will cover the challenges and successes in engaging diverse teams, fostering a tech-friendly culture, and navigating generational differences. Learn how FedEx drives excitement, adopts AI initiatives, and shifts mindsets to embrace technology.

Bianca Wong, Vice President, Human Resources Asia Pacific, Federal Express Asia Pacific$

Gurpreet Grewal, Asia Talent Management Program Director, The Conference Board Asia-Pacific

01:26 PM - 02:26 PM SGT

B: People & Sustainability

Explore the critical connection between people and sustainability. This session offers a three-legged framework for people sustainability, insights from a real-world case study, and practical strategies to overcome challenges in implementing sustainable practices within organizations.

Sunil Puri, Senior Vice President and Head of Research, Center for Creative Leadership

Shailaja Sharma, Executive Director, Learning and Talent Management, SGX Group

Jane Horan, Program Director, The Conference Board Asia-Pacific

02:30 PM - 03:30 PM SGT

C: The Hard Work of Building Soft Skills

Delve into the critical role of soft skills—like communication, empathy, and adaptability—in today’s workplace. This session will explore what companies are doing to accelerate the development of future skills, offering practical strategies for fostering these essential capabilities that are key to personal and organizational success.

Shoba Purushothaman, Co-founder, Hardskills Asia

Jennifer Tan, Vice President (Head, Learning Design and Technology), Learning & Development, Group Human Resources, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Ltd.

Cynthia Tan, Program Director, The Conference Board Asia-Pacific

02:31 PM - 03:31 PM SGT

D: Building Inclusive Cultures

Explore strategies to create workplaces where diversity is valued, and all employees feel empowered to contribute. This session will provide actionable insights on fostering a culture of inclusion that drives innovation, collaboration, and growth.

Jane Horan, Program Director, The Conference Board Asia-Pacific

03:30 PM - 04:00 PM SGT

Networking Break

Networking Break

04:00 PM - 04:45 PM SGT

Building An AI-Enabled Organization

In today's environment, AI can be an effective tool to enhance competitiveness and productivity. What's involved in building an organization that is capable of leveraging the advantages of AI? What skills are needed? And what are the "enabling" conditions?

Dan Wong, CEO, GIFT.ed

04:45 PM - 05:15 PM SGT

Table Talk: How Did Today Matter for You?

3 Guiding questions will be shared with participants for this session.

05:15 PM - 05:35 PM SGT

Reflections: So What & What Next? (Plenary)

Guiding questions will be shared with participants for this session. Sandhya Karpe, Leader, Human Capital Center, Asia, The Conference Board

Sandhya Karpe, Leader, Human Capital Center, Asia, The Conference Board Asia-Pacific

05:35 PM - 05:45 PM SGT

Future Agendas & Closing Remarks

Conference Adjourn Sam Charlton, Managing Director, Asia, The Conference Board

Sam Charlton, Managing Director, Asia, The Conference Board Asia-Pacific

05:45 PM - 07:15 PM SGT

Networking over Cocktails

Light refreshments and drinks will be available to enjoy for all attendees.