Some milestones are measured in years. Others are measured in the lives they have touched, the professions they have transformed, and the futures they have helped shape.

On 5 August 2026, the Institute for Human Resource Professionals (IHRP) marked its 10th Anniversary with an evening that was a tribute to a decade of shared purpose, enduring partnerships and an unwavering belief in the power of people. Bringing together government leaders, tripartite partners, business executives, HR pioneers, certified professionals and ecosystem collaborators, the anniversary dinner honoured the collective journey that has elevated HR into a strategic force for Singapore’s workforce and economic transformation.

From the moment guests arrived at the Carlton Hotel Singapore, the atmosphere was one of warmth and reunion. Conversations flowed effortlessly betweenArtil long-time collaborators and new members of the HR community, reflecting the relationships that have been forged over the past decade. Around the ballroom were familiar faces who had championed HR excellence from the very beginning, alongside emerging leaders ready to shape the next chapter of the profession.

The evening officially commenced with a moving opening film, A Decade of Impact: The IHRP Journey, taking guests through ten years of milestones, breakthroughs and shared achievements. More than a retrospective, it was a reminder that behind every certification earned, every capability developed and every workplace transformed were countless individuals united by a common vision: to build a stronger, future-ready HR profession for Singapore.

In her opening address, Mrs Deborah Ong, Chairperson of the IHRP Board, reflected on the significance of the occasion; not simply as a celebration of institutional success, but as recognition of an entire community that has advanced the profession together. It was a fitting reminder that IHRP’s story has never belonged to one organisation alone. It has been written by employers who invested in better people practices, HR professionals who continually raised the bar for excellence, and partners across the tripartite ecosystem who believed that strong workplaces begin with strong HR.

As dinner was served to the accompaniment of live music, the evening unfolded with moments that balanced celebration with heartfelt appreciation. Guests were introduced to a special 10th Anniversary edition of the IHRP Work Besties sticker pack; a light-hearted initiative created to celebrate the everyday wins of HR professionals. Complete with milestone badges recognising work anniversaries, IHRP Certification achievements and career successes, the commemorative sticker pack reflected the close-knit spirit of Singapore’s HR community and the meaningful connections that have defined IHRP’s first decade.

One of the evening’s defining moments came during the cake-cutting ceremony, where IHRP was joined on stage by representatives from Singapore’s tripartite partners: Mr Desmond Tan, Deputy Secretary-General of NTUC and Senior Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office; Mr Shawn Huang, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Manpower; and Mr Kuah Boon Wee, Vice President of the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) Council. Together, they commemorated IHRP’s 10th anniversary with a symbolic cake-cutting ceremony that reflected the collaborative foundation upon which the Institute was built. Their presence underscored a decade of close partnership between government, employers and unions in advancing Singapore’s HR profession and strengthening the nation’s workforce.

The celebrations continued with an unexpected musical surprise that quickly became one of the night’s most memorable highlights. Jocelyn Chua from IHRP’s Skills Development team took to the stage to perform a specially adapted version of a familiar song, rewritten especially for IHRP’s 10th Anniversary. Her heartfelt performance filled the ballroom with laughter, applause and singalongs, reminding everyone that while HR is often associated with strategy, transformation and capability building, its greatest strength has always been its people, the relationships built, the communities nurtured, and the shared moments that bring everyone together.

The spotlight turned to two individuals whose leadership has quietly but profoundly shaped IHRP’s journey. Through a heartfelt tribute video and appreciation ceremony led by Chief Executive Officer Mr Aslam Sardar, IHRP honoured Karina Kuok, Director of Assessments & Insights, and Jocelyn Wun, who leads the Professional Practices & Certification team, for their invaluable contributions to the organisation and the profession. Their years of dedication, vision and unwavering commitment have strengthened IHRP’s certification and assessment ecosystem, elevated professional standards, and helped shape the experiences of thousands of HR professionals across Singapore. Their recognition served as a poignant reminder that every milestone achieved by IHRP has been made possible by passionate individuals working tirelessly behind the scenes to advance the profession.

Closing the formal programme, Aslam invited guests to look beyond the anniversary itself. While the evening celebrated ten remarkable years of progress, it also marked the beginning of a new chapter; one where HR will continue to play an increasingly strategic role in helping organisations navigate artificial intelligence, workforce transformation and an ever-evolving world of work. The journey ahead calls not only for capable HR professionals, but for courageous leaders who can architect workplaces that are resilient, inclusive and ready for the future.

Over the past decade, IHRP has grown from a bold national vision into a thriving professional community that has strengthened HR capabilities, championed excellence and inspired confidence across Singapore’s workforce ecosystem. Yet perhaps its greatest achievement cannot be measured solely by certifications awarded or programmes launched. It is found in the thousands of HR professionals who now lead with greater purpose, the organisations that have embraced better people practices, and the enduring partnerships that continue to shape Singapore’s human capital landscape.

As conversations continued late into the evening over desserts and renewed friendships, one sentiment resonated throughout the ballroom: while the first ten years have been remarkable, the most exciting chapter is still to come.

Together with its tripartite partners, industry leaders and the wider HR community, IHRP now looks ahead to continue its mission of shaping better workplaces, stronger organisations and a brighter future for Singapore through the power of HR.