Unlocking Value: From Numbers To Narrative

“Clarity is crucial.”

That message anchored the ISCA Value Unlock Forum on 11 May 2026 at the SGX Auditorium, where over 160 senior leaders gathered to explore how organisations can better create, communicate and sustain value in today’s complex capital markets. Organised by ISCA Academy, with strong support from SGX Group, the forum marked the Academy’s first major event following corporatisation, with the launch of the ISCA Value Unlock Series.

SETTING THE STAGE: LEADERSHIP AND PURPOSE

The forum opened with a welcome address by ISCA Academy Board Chair Ms Cyndi Pei, FCA (Singapore). Ms Pei is Chief Financial Officer (Singtel Digital Infraco & Nxera), Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. She set the tone for the forum by emphasising the growing importance of clarity, credibility and communication in capital markets.

Next up was the keynote address by Ms Euleen Goh, FCA (Singapore), Chairperson of ISCA’s Strengthening Financial Reporting Taskforce. She is an ISCA Distinguished Lifetime Member, and Chairperson of Singapore Institute of Management Group Ltd. Ms Goh reinforced the need for financial reporting to evolve beyond compliance and serve as a strategic tool for value creation and trust. She highlighted that modern reporting must deliver decision-useful insights, communicate resilience and strategy clearly, and build trust through transparency and consistency, signalling a shift toward forward-looking, narrative-driven reporting.

CRAFTING A GROWTH STORY WITH NUMBERS

The morning session culminated in a panel discussion titled Crafting a Growth Story with Numbers, featuring senior leaders from Singtel, EY, SGX and the broader business community. The discussion brought to life a central theme of the forum: numbers alone are not enough; narrative is what drives understanding and confidence.

Three key insights emerged from the discussion:

• Go beyond the “what” and “how” to explain the “why”
  Investors increasingly expect companies to articulate the drivers behind performance and how these link to long-term strategy.
• Align strategy, metrics and communication
  Strong companies translate business strategy into clear KPIs, enabling investors to better understand and evaluate performance.
• Build credibility through consistency
  Trust is not built through one disclosure but through sustained, transparent and disciplined communication over time.

Together, these insights underscored a critical takeaway: credible growth stories are built when numbers lead, and narrative explains how value is created and sustained.

FROM CAPITAL MARKETS READINESS TO VALUE COMMUNICATION

The afternoon programme shifted from strategy to application, beginning with a fireside chat on Capital Markets Readiness for CFOs and Finance Professionals.

Speakers from RHTLaw Asia outlined how finance leaders must increasingly navigate capital markets expectations, regulatory frameworks and stakeholder demands. This was followed by a session on Investor Relations as a Value Lever, which reinforced that investor relations is no longer a support function; it is a strategic driver of valuation and market confidence.

Key messages included:

• Companies must proactively shape their value narrative;
• Communication should be consistent, relevant and tailored;
• Strong narratives link performance with future growth potential;
• Transparency and engagement are critical to long-term investor trust.

A central idea emerged: the market should not have to guess a company’s story; it should clearly understand it.

THE POWER OF AUTHENTIC COMMUNICATION

The final session, Own the Room: Authentic Communication for Executive Presence, brought the forum to a personal and leadership-focused close. This session emphasised that in an increasingly complex and digital environment, authentic communication is a defining leadership capability.

Key reflections included:

• Clear and purposeful communication drives alignment and performance;
• Leadership presence is shaped by how ideas are conveyed and received;
• Authenticity builds trust, credibility and connection;
• While AI tools can support communication, genuine delivery remains human.

Ultimately, communication grounded in clarity, compassion and conviction is essential to building trust and inspiring action.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

For delegates, the key takeaways from the ISCA Value Unlock Forum were:

• Clarity drives confidence and complexity must be translated into accessible narratives;
• Numbers need context. Data must be anchored in strategy and intent;
• Forward-looking communication matters as investors value visibility and direction;
• Finance must lead value creation and not just report outcomes;
• Trust is cumulatively built through consistency, transparency and delivery.

The forum reinforced that “value unlock” is not a single initiative, but an integrated approach combining financial reporting, strategic clarity, investor engagement and governance.

The event also marked the official launch of the ISCA Value Unlock Series, a targeted capability-building programme aligned with the SGX Value Unlock framework. Designed for SGX-listed companies and finance leaders, the series equips organisations with the knowhow to strengthen financial reporting, articulate value drivers and enhance investor engagement.

As an approved training provider under the SGX Value Unlock Programme, ISCA Academy plays a key role in advancing Singapore’s capital markets agenda, helping companies move from numbers to narrative, and from reporting to value creation.

Eligible SGX Listed Companies enjoy 50% Equip Grants on approved courses by SGX. Learn more about the approved courses under the ISCA Value Unlock Series, or email ISCA Academy.