The Singapore Institute of Directors will see a major leadership change after its current CEO, Terence Quek, announced that he would be stepping down in April 2026. The move marks the close of a four-year tenure that saw him at the front line in modernizing governance education, strengthening director professionalism, and extending the organization’s influence across Singapore’s corporate landscape.

According to SID, the national body for raising standards of corporate governance and promoting best practices among directors, Quek will continue in his position until the end of April to ensure a smooth transition. Announcing the developments, Quek characterized the decision as one necessitated by an “unexpected and exciting new opportunity,” a sign of a move or transition which was both scheduled yet oriented towards the future.

Quek, who assumed the mantle of SID in May 2022, brought with him a deep experience in strategic communications, leadership development, and service to the public. Under his helm, SID continued to entrench itself as a vital part of the corporate governance environment in Singapore. He spearheaded many new initiatives to better prepare board members on risk management, digital transformation, sustainability, and ethical leadership-areas fast becoming important in a business environment that is changing very fast.

During his tenure, arguably one of the single biggest milestones at SID has been its drive toward digitalization. Quek oversaw the enhancement of SID’s digital learning infrastructure and allowed directors to view governance training and advanced boardroom modules through hybrid and online platforms. This move proved timely, especially in the post-pandemic recovery phase of companies seeking to ensure resilience through stronger board oversight.

He also played a crucial role in expanding SID’s signature programmes, such as the Listed Company Director Programme, Board Readiness Initiative, and the SID Directors Conference. These programmes saw increasing participation by both local and regional leaders alike during his tenure. Under his leadership, SID also forged closer links with regulatory bodies, industry associations, and international governance organizations that enable Singapore to maintain its position as a global model for corporate governance standards.

Industry observers say the push from Quek contributed to a significant increase in engagement of Singapore’s business community to do more on promoting transparency, accountability, and sustainability outcomes from the boardroom. His efforts to introduce training in governance aligned with ESG, especially, helped directors deepen their knowledge of environmental risk, climate reporting, and stakeholder stewardship.

Quek is leaving at a transformative time for Singapore’s corporate sector. Boardrooms are being reshaped by changing expectations on diversity, cybersecurity, AI governance, and the creation of long-term value, as companies navigate geopolitical tensions, technological disruption, and increasing scrutiny by regulators and investors. The next chief executive officer at SID will inherit an expanded platform with increasing responsibilities to help directors navigate these emerging challenges.

SID said the search for Quek’s successor has already begun, and the board will seek candidates with experience in governance and a good vision for the next phase of growth for the institute. In its official statement, SID said it was grateful for Quek’s contributions and recognised the momentum he had built for the organisation.

Quek has left his mark not just on programme growth but also on community and inclusion. He advocated for greater female representation within board leadership, supported new pathways to director roles for younger professionals, and fostered a mindset of continuous learning among seasoned board members. These have served to strengthen Singapore’s talent pipeline for future boardroom leadership.

Regarding his next step, Quek has not announced any details, but his comments indicate he will take up a new leadership role outside of the organization. Considering his background in corporate learning, stakeholder engagement, and leadership development, stakeholders in the industry do not rule out the possibility of his moving into a senior role in the private sector, public service, or governance consulting. With several months to go before his departure, Quek has reaffirmed his commitment to operational continuity and supporting the transition of SID into its next phase. His exit marks a major milestone for the Institute-chronologically significant as it opens the door for fresh leadership while building on a strong foundation of governance excellence.