In Asia, as in the rest of the world, board composition concerns have shifted from independence, to competencies, to commitment, and now to diversity. There is an increasing recognition that boards need to incorporate diversity considerations―particularly with regard to gender―when appointing directors.

The Diversity Scorecard: Measuring Board Composition in Asia Pacific, is an in-depth research report that compares diversity on boards of directors in seven countries in Asia, including gender, age, educational qualifications, and ethnicity.

The study’s findings underscore an urgent need for Asia's boards to recruit more diverse directors, especially now when so many companies are at a turning point. As Asia’s growth trajectory propels it to a central spot in the global economy, the most effective boards will be the ones that are international―with functional, sector, and gender diversity.

As companies across the globe start to recognize that successful boards should reflect the markets they serve, the question will become how fast companies can attract this key board talent from a limited pool to capitalize on opportunities ahead of their competitors.