Three of these winning companies, DBS Group Holdings Limited, Sime Darby Berhad and Singapore Telecommunications Limited, were also the recipients of 2014 Global Aon Hewitt Top Companies for Leaders.

The Aon Hewitt Top Companies for Leaders study evaluates and recognizes what it takes to execute best-in-class leadership and talent management around the world and in Asia Pacific. This year’s winners were selected by a panel of independent judges, including reputable experts from the business, HR and academe, from using a number of criteria, such as strength of leadership practices and culture, examples of leader development, alignment of business and leadership strategy, business performance and company reputation.

“The list of the 2014 Aon Hewitt Top Companies for Leaders in South East Asia is impressive. This group of organizations sets themselves apart by demonstrating their passion for cultivating resilient and engaged leaders who take the time to know and develop their talent and understand what experiences they need to rise above the rest,” said Mr. Jeremy Andrulis, Chief Executive Officer for Aon Hewitt in South East Asia.

“Since we first conducted this study around the world in 2001, organizations have truly raised the bar on their commitment to leadership and South East Asia is no exception. The benefits are evident through higher financial returns, increased employee engagement and productivity and the continuous retention of top talent,” he said.

Aon Hewitt’s analysis found that the Top Companies for Leaders in South East Asia shared six key characteristics in their leadership approach:

• Focus on outcomes, not just processes – Top Companies for Leaders focus on measuring the effectiveness of the leadership practices. The study revealed that 50 percent of the top companies in Southeast Asia formally measure the return on investment for leadership programs and practices compared to other organizations (15 percent).
• Developing engaging leaders, not just measuring engagement – An overwhelming majority of leaders in top companies in Southeast Asia (90 percent) compared to other organizations (20 percent) are responsible for driving engagement through strong sponsorship of employee engagement efforts. Most top companies (60 percent) have senior leadership who articulate specific actions their direct reports need to take in order to improve employee engagement.
• Inclusion is the word, not just diversity – Compared to other organizations, all Aon Hewitt Top Companies for Leaders have leadership diversity and inclusion as a formal part of their talent strategy, compared to half of all other organization. A majority of top companies (60 percent) formally hold leaders accountable for diversity within the leadership pipeline, compared to just 16 percent of other companies. Further, 80 percent of top companies drive a culture of inclusion, unseen by the rest of the companies.
• Developing leaders, not followers – One of the key responsibilities of leaders at Aon Hewitt Top Companies for Leaders is to develop future leaders and therefore leaders at top companies are held accountable for the strength of the leadership pipeline. Top companies feel twice as more confident (as compared to others) with the sufficiency of talent pipeline at all levels.
• Making leadership assessments all pervasive – When it comes to building leaders, 70 percent of top companies assess leadership across levels of the organization compared to 39 percent at other companies where the focus is primarily on the highest level of leaders. This assessment includes evaluating leaders’ experiences, competencies, values and organizational fit.
• Focus on higher purpose – The leadership value proposition at top companies include elements beyond their own business or functional goals, like community outreach (e.g., education, socio-economic considerations, catastrophe support) and environmental consciousness.

Ms.Napas Sirivarangkul, Project Leader for Aon Hewitt Top Companies for Leaders in South East Asia, said, “Top companies have leaders who demonstrate tremendous effort and investment in leadership development programs and succession management to ensure they have strong leadership pipeline and be able to engage their talents. In today’s unpredictable and complex environment, top companies also build resilience in their leaders by creating inclusive cultures where multiple perspectives and ideas help the organization meet continued business challenges.”

She added, “Also striking in South East Asia is the direct personal involvement of the CEO, Board of Director and senior executives in their leadership programs. We are very proud to be holding the Awards and leadership best practices Conference in Bangkok and recognizing such outstanding organizations from South East Asia”.

Aon Hewitt Top Companies for Leaders were also selected in India, and North America (http://www.aon.com/human-capital-consulting/thought-leadership/leadership/aon-hewitt-top-companies-for-leaders-winners.jsp) and winners will be announced in Australia/New Zealand on 3 December 2014. Using a consistent methodology, winners in each of these markets, along with finalist organizations from Europe and Latin America, became the finalists competing for a spot on the global list.

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To learn more about this study, please visit www.aon.com/topcompanies/apac and www.aon.com/apac

About the Aon Hewitt Top Companies for Leaders Study

With more than 1,500 survey data points and 350 executive interviews, the 2014 Aon Hewitt Top Companies for Leaders study is the most comprehensive, global research on leadership in the market, examining the link between leadership practices and financial results.  This study explores how organizations assess, select, develop, and reward leaders, and examines the execution of leadership practices, as well as the strategy that guides it. To learn more about this study, please visit http://www.aon.com/topcompanies/apac

About Aon Hewitt

Aon Hewitt is a global human resource consulting and outsourcing business of Aon Corporation (NYSE:AON). Aon Hewitt empowers organizations and individuals to secure a better future through innovative talent, retirement and health solutions. We advise, design and execute a wide range of solutions that enable clients to cultivate talent to drive organizational and personal performance and growth, navigate retirement risk while providing new levels of financial security, and redefine health solutions for greater choice, affordability and wellness. Aon Hewitt is the global leader in human resource solutions, with over 30,000 professionals in 90 countries serving more than 20,000 clients worldwide. For more information on Aon Hewitt, please visit http://www.aon.com/apac/

About Aon

Aon plc (NYSE:AON) is the leading global provider of risk management, insurance and reinsurance brokerage, and human resources solutions and outsourcing services. Through its more than 66,000 colleagues worldwide, Aon unites to empower results for clients in over 120 countries via innovative and effective risk and people solutions and through industry-leading global resources and technical expertise. Aon has been named repeatedly as the world’s best broker, best insurance intermediary, best reinsurance intermediary, best captives manager, and best employee benefits consulting firm by multiple industry sources. Visit aon.com for more information on Aon and aon.com/manchesterunited to learn about Aon’s global partnership with Manchester United.

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