Corporate Governance

The Board of Directors provides strategic direction and oversight of organisational functions and goals, and steers NEA in fulfilling our vision and mission. In FY2020, the Board comprised 14 members with diverse and extensive experience from both the private and public sectors. Appointed by the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, the Board is guided by a set of key principles to ensure fairness and impartiality in carrying out its responsibilities, as well as to uphold the integrity and reputation of the Public Service. Led by Board Chairman Mr Lee Chuan Seng, the Board has set up Board Committees to assist with the execution of its responsibilities.

The Audit Committee assists the Board in maintaining a high standard of corporate governance, particularly in the areas of financial accounting and reporting, risk management, and internal control systems. Chaired by Ms Jackie Chew, the Audit Committee comprises Ms Sylvia Choo, Mr Puah Kok Keong, Dr Andrew Khoo, and Mr Bernard Choo (as of 1 April 2021). The Committee reviews the annual accounts, audit plans, internal control systems, risk report and audit reports with NEA’s external and internal auditors.

The Human Resource Committee assists the Board in ensuring an objective and fair performance management process for NEA. Chaired by Mr Lee Chuan Seng, the Human Resource Committee comprises Deputy Chairman Mr Ravinder Singh, Ms Lynette Leong, Mr Lim Eng Hwee (as of 1 April 2021), and NEA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

The Finance Committee oversees matters related to the investment of surplus funds, cash and working capital management, and fundraising activities. Chaired by Mr Quek Suan Kiat, the Finance Committee comprises Mr Suhaimi Zainul-Abidin, Ms Susan Chong, Professor Ho Teck Hua (as of 1 April 2021), and NEA’s CEO.

In FY2020, there were three Board Working Committees (BWC) in the areas of ‘Keep Singapore Clean’, ‘Sustainable Singapore’, and ‘Reimagining Hawker Centres’. These BWCs, chaired by Mr Lim Eng Hwee, Mr Ravinder Singh and Professor Ho Teck Hua respectively, provided industry and expert perspectives, guidance on strategies, and advice on suitable strategic partnerships.

The Senior Management Team, led by NEA’s CEO, is responsible for implementing the strategic direction of NEA’s programmes, and nurturing a high performance organisation committed to fulfilling NEA’s mission and roles. They manage the financial, manpower and operational resources of their respective divisions and departments, and come together during committee meetings to guide NEA’s continued performance in risk management, innovation and sustainability practices.

The Management Committee (MC), comprising the NEA senior management team, meets regularly to direct and review management and operational policies and activities. It also leads and directs NEA’s strategies and transformational efforts. Through strategically-themed meetings and projects, the MC guides NEA in becoming more effective in our dual roles as regulator and champion for the environment. These efforts are aimed at improving how NEA is organised, leverages technology and utilises resources, thereby enabling better results by working smarter and striving for organisational excellence.

The Enterprise Risk and Safety Steering Committee (ERSSC), responsible for overseeing risk management in NEA, is chaired by NEA’s Deputy CEO (Planning, Corporate & Technology) as the Chief Risk Officer and comprises members of the Senior Leadership Team.

NEA has an internal code of conduct that applies to all employees as NEA has a zero-tolerance policy on fraud and misconduct by employees. Called the NEA Person Code, the code of conduct articulates NEA’s vision, mission and values, appropriate conduct, and guidelines concerning conflicts of interest, confidentiality, preventing corruption and proper financial stewardship.

The Code also sets out principles to guide employees in discharging their duties and responsibilities to the highest standards of personal and corporate integrity. The NEA Person Code is readily available on the NEA intranet and in the Staff Handbook.

All new staff are informed about the NEA Person Code. Reminders on the code are also regularly sent to staff. In the event of a breach of discipline, the NEA Disciplinary Policy details the appropriate procedures to deal with the breach. Under NEA’s whistleblowing policy, NEA encourages all employees and third parties to report any incidents of fraud and serious misconduct. NEA also offers employees ample channels to air their grievances on matters that affect the terms and conditions of their service.

The Internal Audit Division advises NEA’s management and the Audit Committee on the system of internal controls in NEA. Reviews performed by the Internal Audit Division assist the Board in promoting good corporate governance by assessing the design and operating effectiveness of controls. The reviews also focus on compliance with NEA’s policies and procedures.

The external auditors provide the Board with an independent opinion on NEA’s financial statements, offering reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatements. The external auditors conduct their audit in accordance with their audit plan presented to the Audit Committee for internal controls they have considered to be relevant to the audit. They will report any recommendations on internal controls that they have identified during the course of audit, to management and the Audit Committee.

The Audit Committee assesses the external auditors based on factors such as the quality of their audit and the independence of the auditors, and recommends their appointment to the Board. The external auditors are required to declare their state of independence to the Audit Committee prior to their appointment. Significant non-audit services to be provided by the external auditors are also subjected to approval by the Audit Committee.