Latest news with #womeninleadership
Independent Singapore
7 hours ago
- Business
- Independent Singapore
More women take seats on the board in Singapore's top 100 SGX-listed companies
Photo: Freepik/ (for illustration purposes only) SINGAPORE: Women now hold over a quarter (25.1%) of board seats at Singapore's top 100 Singapore Exchange (SGX)-listed companies, according to the Council for Board Diversity (CBD). This is more than three times the number of women on the board 10 years ago and higher than the global average (23.3%), as reported by Singapore Business Review. In 2024, 18.1% of board members in 615 companies listed on the SGX were women, more than double from just 8.1% ten years ago, while women held 34.3% of board seats across the government's 64 statutory boards, up 1.6 percentage points from 2023. Over the past six years, statutory boards have seen nearly a 50% rise in women directors, increasing from 23.3% at the end of 2018. This growth followed CBD's public-private-people strategy, supported by deepened board appointment guidance from the Public Service Division (PSD). Last year, women held 31.8% of board seats among the largest 100 institutions of a public character (IPC) after a 1.7 percentage point rise in 2023, thanks to new guidance from the Code of Governance for Charities and IPCs. Overall, all IPCs averaged 34.3%. See also Singapore stocks retreated on Friday morning—STI dropped 0.2% Directorship data over five years revealed that boards tend to be more gender-diverse in companies where women serve on nominating committees, particularly in smaller listed firms. /TISG Read also: Singapore women entrepreneurs find global success through Amazon Global Selling
Travel Daily News
a day ago
- Business
- Travel Daily News
Shaikha Al Nowais elected UN Tourism Secretary-General
Shaikha Al Nowais secures the UN Tourism Secretary-General post, becoming the first woman to lead the agency. Gloria Guevara graciously concedes, reflecting on the competitive global election. Today, the global tourism community turned its attention to Madrid, where the Executive Council of UN Tourism gathered to decide the organization's strategic leadership for the 2026–2029 term. In a historic decision, Shaikha Al Nowais of the United Arab Emirates secured the council's nomination as the next Secretary-General, marking the first time a woman will hold the top position in the agency's 50-year history. Al Nowais, a corporate vice president at Rotana Hotels in Abu Dhabi, emerged as the frontrunner early in the voting process, clinching 16 votes in the first round and ultimately securing a projected 24 votes in the second round — well above the minimum 18 required. Her closest competitor, Greece's Harry Theoharis, who played a key role in Greece's tourism recovery during the COVID-19 crisis, received 11 votes. The selection now awaits formal approval by the United Nations General Assembly before Al Nowais takes office in January 2026. A vision for transformation In her remarks following the nomination, Al Nowais emphasized the transformational agenda she intends to bring to global tourism governance: 'As an Emirati woman, I'm honored to make history as the first woman worldwide to win the nomination for Secretary-General of UN Tourism (2026–2029). My vision rests on five pillars that will transform global tourism: Responsible Tourism — protecting our planet, cultures, and communities; Capacity Building — empowering women, youth, and local leaders; Technology for Good — innovation that enhances lives while safeguarding privacy; Innovative Financing — creating sustainable funding models for lasting growth; and Smart Governance — delivering transparent, accountable leadership. For a sustainable tourism future that serves communities around the world.' Her leadership represents not only a milestone for gender representation but also a strategic shift in the agency's priorities, particularly as Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its position as a global tourism hub with recent projects like the announcement of a Disneyland park and a Las Vegas-style Sphere entertainment venue. Gloria Guevara's gracious exit Among the five other candidates vying for the post, Mexico's Gloria Guevara, one of the most recognized voices in global tourism, was considered a strong contender but was eliminated in the first round after receiving eight votes. Guevara, who has more than 35 years of experience and served as Mexico's Minister of Tourism, offered a gracious concession and public congratulations to her opponent: 'Following today's vote of UN Tourism in Spain, I would like to thank President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo and the Government of Mexico for their unwavering support throughout my campaign. I am also grateful to all the leaders who endorsed my candidacy, and to my amazing team who stood by me on this journey. Congratulations to the new Secretary-General of UN Tourism — I wish her success in this important role.' Guevara's platform centered on building tourism resilience, sustainability, and inclusivity, particularly in the Global South. Despite her exit, her candidacy underscored Mexico's continued leadership ambitions within global tourism circles. Africa's ambitions and lessons learned Ghana's Muhammed Adam, the African Union's officially endorsed candidate, received just two votes and was also eliminated in the first round. His defeat raised important questions about the coherence and effectiveness of African diplomatic coordination in multilateral tourism leadership contests. Despite the setback, Adam's campaign brought attention to critical issues such as strengthening the voice of developing countries and securing greater technical and financial support for underrepresented regions. Strategic challenges ahead Al Nowais will inherit an organization facing significant challenges, including declining membership after the departure of key countries like the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., who have questioned the value proposition of UN Tourism. She will be tasked with rebuilding trust, enhancing operational transparency, and aligning the agency's initiatives with the rapidly evolving needs of the global tourism sector — particularly in the post-pandemic landscape. For travel and hospitality professionals, the coming years under Al Nowais' leadership will be closely watched as a test of how global governance structures can effectively support sustainable growth, innovation, and inclusivity in tourism. Update: Statement by Harry Theoharis on the Conclusion of the UN Tourism Secretary-General Election 'I fully respect the decision of the Executive Council of the UN Tourism to elect Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais as the next Secretary-General. I extend to her my warmest congratulations and sincere wishes for every success in her new role, with the hope that the Organization will move forward decisively—toward a more effective, modern, and inclusive future. Although I was not elected, I am proud of the journey we undertook. We conducted a campaign defined by integrity, consistency, and global reach—conducted with dignity and clear purpose. My candidacy positioned Greece as a constructive voice in international dialogue, offering concrete proposals for a tourism sector that is resilient, sustainable, and fair. It reaffirmed our country's institutional presence on the global stage. If the principles that guided our vision—transparency, green development, and the empowerment of local communities—contribute in any way to shaping the Organization's future course, it would be for me a deeply meaningful and lasting reward. I wish to extend my deepest gratitude to my family, my dedicated team, the Minister of Tourism Ms. Olga Kefalogianni, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the private sector partners whose support helped bring this campaign to life. Αbove all, I thank Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for his trust and invaluable support. Without their belief in this vision, this journey would never have begun. This campaign was, for me, not only a political endeavour but a national one. Greece has gained international recognition and credibility—and that, regardless of the electoral outcome, is our most important achievement. My involvement in the field of tourism will continue. I remain present, committed, and ready to contribute wherever I can be of service—with ideas, proposals, and action. With renewed determination, I continue in my responsibilities as a Member of the Hellenic Parliament with New Democracy, fully dedicated to representing the needs of our citizens and fulfilling our collective mission. One chapter closes. A new one begins. We move forward—with knowledge, experience, and the firm belief that Greece deserves more. Thank you.'
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
QI host Sandi Toksvig and anti-Brexit firebrand Gina Miller make Cambridge University Chancellor shortlist
Bake Off and QI star Sandi Toksvig and anti-Brexit firebrand Gina Miller are on the shortlist to be the next chancellor of Cambridge University. Both are hoping to become the first woman to hold the ceremonial position in its 800-year history. But fellow candidate Wyn Evans, an astrophysics professor at the university, warned they may lower the tone at the highbrow institution. 'If Cambridge needs a high-profile or celebrity chancellor to be noticed, we might as well give up and rebrand the university as a reality TV show - Keeping Up with the Cantabrigians,' he said. Ms Toksvig, 67, who studied law, archaeology and anthropology at Cambridge, questioned whether it was 'time for a change'. She said: 'The first known chancellor of Cambridge was Richard of Wetheringsett who served sometime between 1215 and 1232. 'After that we have had a plethora of other Richards, many Johns and an awful lot of Stephens - after over 800 years I wonder if it isn't time for a change?' The comedian and TV host once told how she was almost kicked out of the university for having a girlfriend sleep over, and was only allowed to stay because of her 'excellent academic record'. 'If you are going to be gay, at least be clever,' she joked. 'What [they] don't want is gay stupid people.' Gina Miller, 60, who successfully challenged the government in court over the implementation of Brexit, said she would champion 'civil discourse, fairness, and democratic principles' at Cambridge. 'Electing the first woman to the role - while not essential - would be powerful and symbolic, affirming Cambridge's commitment to modernity and equality,' she said. In 2017, Ms Miller won a Supreme Court ruling that MPs should have a say over triggering Article 50, which took the UK out of the EU. She also successfully challenged Boris Johnson's decision to suspend Parliament in 2019 as a Brexit debate was looming. The other eight people on the shortlist for chancellor are all men. They include Cambridge college presidents Lord Smith and Dr El-Erian, former BP chief executive Lord Browne, professors Tony Booth and Wyn Evans, and Cambridge alumni Ayham Ammora, Ali Azeem and Mark Mann.
Independent Singapore
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Independent Singapore
RDU chief Ravi Philemon calls new Cabinet ‘disappointing' as more women, youth should be given seats at the table
SINGAPORE: After Prime Minister (PM) Lawrence Wong announced his new Cabinet on Wednesday evening (May 21), Ravi Philemon, the secretary-general of the opposition party Red Dot United (RDU), expressed disappointment. 'Women's voices are muted. Young people's voices are not heard. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's first Cabinet announcement was a moment that should have signalled meaningful change. Instead, it reinforced the status quo,' Mr Philemon wrote in a social media post. While the announcement revealed some reshuffling and a couple of new faces from the May 3 polls were appointed to lead ministries, the members of the Cabinet have remained the same since PM Wong took office a year ago. For Mr Philemon, this appeared to be a missed opportunity for PM Wong to address 'real gaps in leadership' that had been present prior to the election, and he expressed that preserving the status quo would have 'real consequences—for working families, for women, for young people, and for the vulnerable.' The RDU chief noted that only three of the 15 full ministers are women, despite women having been nearly a third of the ruling People's Action Party's (PAP) candidates in the GE. Mr Philemon wrote that this could mean that policies that affect women, such as childcare options, work-from-home rights, legal protections at the workplace, and recognition for unpaid caregiving, would be deprioritised. 'The global research is conclusive. Governments with at least 50% women ministers score 17 points higher on the Women, Business and the Law Index, which measures legal equality in economic opportunity. Countries with more women in leadership are more likely to pass laws that remove inequality, strengthen protections for families, and invest in the long-term well-being of society. These aren't cosmetic gains—they are structural,' he wrote. Mr Philemon also noted that the average age of the new Cabinet is 55.1, adding concerns that younger Singaporeans today are 'living through a very different Singapore' in terms of job security, housing costs, climate change, mental health, and other issues. 'The issues that affect young people most are dealt with in a piecemeal way—because their voices are not present in the Cabinet room. Things must change. Let's not forget—Singapore is one of the few countries where 18-year-olds are expected to serve, to train, to carry a rifle for national defence, but cannot vote.' The RDU chief also raised the issue of what he characterised as 'bloated government and wasted resources' and again questioned why Singapore would need multiple Mayors, Senior Ministers, Ministers of State, and Senior Parliamentary Secretaries. 'For me, politics should always be about people, so Cabinets must reflect the people. That means more women at the table. More youth helping to shape the national agenda, and a leaner, more focused government that puts its weight—and its budget—behind solving real problems, not maintaining political comfort. 'RDU and I will remain committed to that fight. The fight to ensure Singaporeans are treated as first-class citizens in their own country, the only home we have,' he wrote. /TISG Read also: M Wong's New Cabinet: Masagos loses Muslim Affairs portfolio, first-term MP Jeffrey Siow and David Neo take Transport and MCCY roles
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
STACK Infrastructure and Blue Owl Capital Host Fourth Annual Women Leadership Summit
Annual summit continues to grow as a unique and leading industry event, bringing together key stakeholders and partners to advance women's leadership in the digital economy STACK Infrastructure and Blue Owl Capital Host Fourth Annual Women Leadership Summit DENVER, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- STACK Infrastructure ('STACK'), the digital infrastructure partner to some of the world's most innovative companies and a leading global developer and operator of data centers and Blue Owl Capital's ('Blue Owl') Digital Infrastructure team, a global investment strategy focused exclusively on digital infrastructure, proudly hosted the Fourth Annual Women in Digital Infrastructure ('WIDI') Leadership Summit May 7-8 at the Salamander Hotel in Washington, D.C. The event welcomed more than 200 women from STACK and Blue Owl as well as industry partners—including cloud providers, policymakers, financial institutions, legal firms, and utility companies—for a dynamic program of professional development, industry insights, and strategic networking. As a company-driven initiative, the WIDI Leadership Summit stands apart in the industry by uniting women across roles and organizations to promote leadership development and inspire the next generation of infrastructure talent. "Now in our 4th year, this summit's rapid growth is a testament to the increasing number of women who are building careers across every facet of digital infrastructure," said Lauren Sullivan, Managing Director, Blue Owl. 'This is a powerful forum to elevate and unite women leaders across our industry to drive innovation and progress.' The summit featured keynote addresses from women leaders including AI expert Verity Harding, Former Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy Jennifer Granholm, workplace strategist Mary Abbajay, and entrepreneur and educator, Pastor Michelle Thomas. The curated program addressed some of the most pressing issues in the industry—including AI and the cloud's impact on digital infrastructure and power demand, hyperscale development, and emerging capital strategies. 'The WIDI Summit highlights our commitment to empowering women across the industry,' said Heather Paduck, Chief Financial Officer, STACK Americas. 'By investing in women leaders, we're strengthening the talent pipeline, inspiring new voices to enter the field, and creating the kind of collaborative culture that drives long-term industry success.' The WIDI Leadership Summit remains a cornerstone of ongoing initiatives by STACK and Blue Owl to promote leadership, mentorship, and career advancement. Through global advancement initiatives, apprenticeship programs, enhanced recruiting, and active community engagement, both organizations continue to lead the way in building the future of digital infrastructure. STACK and Blue Owl extended their sincere appreciation to the sponsors whose generous support made the summit possible. Gold Sponsors included Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher and Flom LLP, and SMBC. Silver Sponsors included Clayco, Inc. and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. Additional thanks were given to the Bronze-level sponsors for their meaningful contributions to the event's success. About STACK Infrastructure STACK is a proven, trusted partner for the world's most innovative companies, designing, developing, and operating sustainable global digital infrastructure. Backed by an unmatched record of reliable delivery and development expertise, STACK brings speed, scale, certainty, and responsibility to the demands of a rapidly evolving digital infrastructure landscape. For more information about STACK, please visit: About Blue Owl: Blue Owl (NYSE: OWL) is a leading asset manager that is redefining alternatives®. With $273 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2025, we invest across three multi-strategy platforms: Credit, GP Strategic Capital, and Real Assets. Anchored by a strong permanent capital base, we provide businesses with private capital solutions to drive long-term growth and offer institutional investors, individual investors, and insurance companies differentiated alternative investment opportunities that aim to deliver strong performance, risk-adjusted returns, and capital preservation. Together with over 1,200 experienced professionals globally, Blue Owl brings the vision and discipline to create the exceptional. To learn more, visit Media Contact:Sammer Khalafpress@ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in to access your portfolio
