Terence Quek, the Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Institute of Directors (SID), has announced that he will be stepping down from his leadership role at the end of April 2026 to pursue a new “unexpected and exciting” opportunity — marking the end of a nearly four-year tenure guiding one of Singapore’s most influential governance bodies.

Quek’s announcement was shared in a LinkedIn post earlier this month, where he revealed that while he wasn’t actively seeking new opportunities, the role that has come his way presented prospects for growth and personal development that he could not overlook. “The decision was not easy, but once I made it, it felt right,” he wrote, reflecting on his time leading SID and the organisation’s readiness for its next chapter.

Since taking the helm of SID in May 2022, Quek has overseen important initiatives to strengthen the institute’s mission of promoting good corporate governance and elevating the professionalism of Singapore’s directors and leadership community. He has focused on expanding SID’s programmes, increasing membership, and establishing a clear strategic blueprint for the next three years — goals he says are well underway and on firm footing as he prepares to depart.

Growing the Institute and Strengthening Governance

Under Quek’s leadership, SID’s membership reportedly grew from around 3,300 to over 5,500 members, highlighting increased engagement among corporate directors, C-suite executives, academics and aspiring governance professionals. These efforts have helped reinforce SID’s role as a focal point for corporate governance discussions, educational programming and professional development in Singapore and across the region.

He also played a role in launching SID’s Director Accreditation Programme, a voluntary credential that requires candidates to take accreditation exams or specialised governance training — a move aimed at raising standards across boardrooms in Singapore. This demonstrates a broader vision beyond compliance: to build leadership capabilities that anticipate future challenges in governance.

Succession Planning and the Search for a New CEO

Recognising the importance of an orderly leadership transition, Quek shared his plans early to help support SID’s Governing Council in broadening the search for his successor. He revealed that the Nominating and Governance Committee has already begun discussions with potential candidates, and a leading executive search firm is assisting in the recruitment process.

In his farewell note, Quek outlined the qualities he believes the next CEO should embody: grounded, hands-on, collaborative, compassionate, communicative, innovative and authentic — leadership traits that have been central to his own approach.

Legacy and Future

Quek’s departure will undoubtedly be felt within Singapore’s corporate governance ecosystem, where SID plays a critical role in shaping discourse around board effectiveness, director duties and ethical stewardship. With SID now positioned on a strong trajectory, his successor will be tasked with building on that momentum and navigating future challenges in an increasingly complex business environment.

As he moves toward this next chapter, stakeholders and governance professionals alike are watching closely — not just to see who will lead SID next, but how the institute continues to evolve and influence boardroom practices in Singapore and the region.