A Network of Corporate Associates

Since 1992, IPS has fostered a growing network of Corporate Associates (CAs) whose contributions remain integral to the Institute’s expansion through the years, allowing the Institute to carry out its mission. There are currently over 80 CAs, including two Lifetime Patrons and 22 Lifetime Friends of IPS.

The CA Programme builds bonds between the business community and the Institute, with an active network of business leaders providing insights on policy issues through a range of viewpoints. The Programme facilitates these exchanges through regular meetings with key thought leaders and policymakers from both Singapore and abroad.

IPS organises about 12 to 14 of these events annually, which range from one-table lunches or dinners to larger breakfast or lunch dialogues.

Additionally, CAs are granted priority invitations to the full suite of IPS public events. They also receive INSIGHTS, which are curated bullet-point briefs of key takeaways from selected IPS events and research projects.

“The onset of the pandemic saw Singapore implementing its Circuit Breaker, which was a nationwide partial lockdown, on 7 April 2020. This, along with subsequent safe distancing measures, severely limited dining-in and gatherings to a handful of people.

The CA team responded quickly and organised the Programme’s first virtual session on 13 May 2020, with 20 attendees in a discussion with Dr Beh Swan Gin, then Chairman of EDB. Determined not to break the tradition of conducting our meetings over meals, we had a French restaurant in the Dempsey locale prepare and deliver a splendid fourcourse dinner to each participant’s home.

With that success, we went on to cater from an exquisite selection of restaurants serving food of various cuisines, from Chinese, Mod-Sin, French to Italian. Despite the logistical challenges, we delivered meals for larger events of up to 60 pax as well and received many a compliment from our guests.”

- Mr Low Han-tzen, Senior Associate Director