Company Secretary Job Description

UK Company Secretary Job Description

Comprehensive Reference Guide for the Company Secretary Role at UK FTSE-Listed Firms, UK AIM-Listed Firms, UK PIE Entities, UK Private Firms and UK Group Structures Across UK Statutory Company Secretarial Framework, UK Corporate Governance Code, FCA Listing Rules, DTR, UK MAR, UK CGI/ICSA Qualification Framework and Senior UK Company Secretary Leadership

A UK Company Secretary is the senior governance leader at a UK firm with senior accountability for the firm’s UK statutory company secretarial framework, UK Companies Act 2006 framework application, UK corporate governance framework, Board administration and Board secretariat, statutory filings to Companies House, statutory registers maintenance, Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) organisation and senior commercial minute-taking, director duties support framework, UK Corporate Governance Code framework application at UK FTSE-listed firms, FCA Listing Rules framework application at UK FTSE-listed firms, FCA Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules (DTR) framework application, UK Market Abuse Regulation (UK MAR) framework application, AIM Rules framework application at UK AIM-listed firms, group company secretarial framework at UK group structures, and the wider senior UK company secretarial leadership dimensions of running senior governance at UK firms. The Company Secretary role operates at multiple senior tier dimensions across UK firms — from Group Company Secretary tier at UK FTSE 100 and UK FTSE 250 listed firms (frequently the most senior UK Company Secretary tier with senior commercial dimensions including Board engagement at C-Suite tier and senior commercial dimensions at FCA-regulated UK listed firm scope) to Company Secretary tier at UK private firms operating with statutory company secretarial framework dimensions, with Deputy and Assistant Company Secretary tiers operating below senior Group Company Secretary tier at major UK firms.

This UK Company Secretary job description reference covers the role specification across the principal UK firm scenarios (UK FTSE 100, UK FTSE 250, UK AIM-listed firms, UK PIE entities, UK private firms above statutory audit threshold, UK group structures with subsidiary secretarial scope, UK PE-backed firms with portfolio secretarial scope, UK charities, UK public sector and quasi-public entities), the UK statutory company secretarial regulatory framework (Companies Act 2006 Part 12, UK Corporate Governance Code, FCA Listing Rules, DTR framework, UK MAR framework, AIM Rules framework, Companies Miscellaneous Reporting Regulations 2018 framework), the UK CGI Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland qualification framework, the senior UK Company Secretary tier dimensions, the realistic compensation calibration from UK SME Company Secretary tier through UK FTSE 100 Group Company Secretary tier, cross-portfolio architecture for senior NED and Chairman appointments at UK FTSE-listed firms, and a sample Company Secretary job description structure that UK firms can adapt for senior UK Company Secretary recruitment. For senior UK Company Secretary recruitment service engagement see Company Secretary Recruitment; for delivery-model variants see Interim Company Secretary, Fractional Company Secretary, and Part-Time Company Secretary.

The Company Secretary Role at UK Firms — Senior Tier Framework

The Company Secretary role at UK firms operates across multiple senior tier dimensions reflecting the UK firm scale, UK firm regulatory framework context, and UK firm operating model. Understanding the senior UK Company Secretary tier framework is essential for senior UK Company Secretary recruitment specification.

UK Group Company Secretary at UK FTSE 100 firms — the most senior UK Company Secretary tier operating at UK FTSE 100 listed firm scale with senior accountability for senior Group Board secretariat at FTSE 100 Board tier, senior UK Corporate Governance Code framework leadership at FTSE 100 firm scale, senior FCA Listing Rules framework leadership including LR 9 framework engagement, senior DTR framework leadership, senior UK MAR framework leadership including Article 19 PDMR notifications framework, senior subsidiary company secretarial framework leadership at FTSE 100 group structures (frequently extending across multiple international subsidiary entities), senior Board committee secretariat across Audit Committee, Remuneration Committee, Nomination Committee, and Risk Committee where applicable, senior FTSE 100 AGM and senior FTSE 100 corporate transaction support framework leadership, and the wider senior commercial dimensions specific to UK FTSE 100 Group Company Secretary scope.

UK Group Company Secretary at UK FTSE 250 firms — UK FTSE 250 Group Company Secretary tier operating with similar senior commercial dimensions to UK FTSE 100 Group Company Secretary tier but at smaller UK FTSE-listed firm scale. UK FTSE 250 Group Company Secretary scope typically extends across senior Group Board secretariat at FTSE 250 Board tier, senior UK Corporate Governance Code framework leadership, senior FCA Listing Rules framework leadership, senior DTR and UK MAR framework leadership, senior subsidiary company secretarial framework leadership where applicable to the firm’s group structure, senior Board committee secretariat, and the wider senior commercial dimensions specific to UK FTSE 250 Group Company Secretary scope.

UK Company Secretary at UK AIM-listed firms — UK AIM-listed firm Company Secretary tier operating with senior accountability for AIM Rules framework leadership at UK AIM-listed firm scale, AIM Disclosure Rules framework leadership, senior Board secretariat at AIM-listed Board tier, senior subsidiary company secretarial framework where applicable, senior AIM corporate transaction support framework, and the wider senior commercial dimensions specific to UK AIM-listed firm Company Secretary scope. UK AIM-listed firm Company Secretary tier operates with materially different senior commercial dimensions than UK Main Market FTSE-listed firm Group Company Secretary tier given the AIM Rules framework distinction from FCA Listing Rules framework.

UK Company Secretary at UK PIE entities — banks, insurers, FCA-authorised firms — UK Company Secretary tier at UK PIE entities (UK FCA-authorised banks, UK PRA-authorised insurers, UK FCA-authorised firms operating as Public Interest Entities) operating with senior accountability for FCA-regulated firm corporate governance framework leadership, FCA Listing Rules framework leadership where applicable to UK FCA-listed firms, FCA Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR) framework intersection at senior Board engagement dimensions, FCA Operational Resilience framework intersection where applicable, FCA Consumer Duty framework intersection where applicable, and the wider senior commercial dimensions specific to UK FCA-regulated firm Company Secretary scope. Cross-portfolio: senior CFO and senior SMF holder appointments at UK FCA-authorised firms at material seniority operate within FD Capital cross-portfolio senior commercial authority — see sister site FD Capital.

UK Company Secretary at UK private firms above statutory audit threshold — UK Company Secretary tier at UK private firms above the UK statutory audit threshold (turnover £10.2 million / balance sheet total £5.1 million / 50 employees thresholds where firms exceeding any two require statutory audit) operating with senior accountability for Companies Act 2006 framework leadership at UK private firm scale, Board administration and Board secretariat, statutory filings to Companies House framework leadership, statutory registers maintenance framework leadership, AGM organisation framework leadership at firms operating with formal AGM frameworks, director duties support framework leadership, and the wider senior commercial dimensions specific to UK private firm Company Secretary scope.

UK Company Secretary at UK group structures with subsidiary secretarial scope — UK Company Secretary tier at UK group structures operating with multiple subsidiary entities frequently extends across senior subsidiary company secretarial framework leadership across the group’s subsidiary entities including UK subsidiary statutory framework leadership, UK subsidiary Board secretariat where applicable, UK subsidiary statutory filings framework, UK group governance framework leadership, and the wider senior commercial dimensions specific to UK group structure Company Secretary scope.

UK Company Secretary at UK PE-backed firms with portfolio secretarial scope — UK Company Secretary tier at UK PE-backed firms frequently operates with PE-backed firm-specific senior commercial dimensions including senior PE Investment Director engagement at strategic decision tier, senior PE Board secretariat where applicable, senior PE-backed firm subsidiary secretarial framework where applicable, senior exit-readiness corporate governance positioning, and the wider senior commercial dimensions specific to UK PE-backed firm Company Secretary scope.

UK Company Secretary at UK charities and not-for-profit entities — UK Company Secretary tier at UK charities operating as charitable companies and UK not-for-profit entities operating as companies limited by guarantee operates with sector-specific senior commercial dimensions including Charities Act 2011 framework intersection, UK Charity Commission framework intersection, charity governance framework, and the wider senior commercial dimensions specific to UK charity Company Secretary scope.

UK Statutory Company Secretarial Regulatory Framework

UK Company Secretary appointments operate within a UK statutory company secretarial regulatory framework that meaningfully shapes senior governance leadership accountability at UK firms.

Companies Act 2006 — Part 12 (Company Secretaries) — the principal UK statute governing UK company secretaries with associated senior Company Secretary accountability for Companies Act 2006 Part 12 framework application including statutory company secretary appointment framework (s.270 Private companies not required to have secretary, s.271 Public companies required to have secretary), s.273 Qualifications of secretaries of public companies, s.274 Discharge of functions where office vacant, s.857 (registration of resolutions), and the wider Companies Act 2006 Part 12 framework dimensions specific to UK company secretaries.

Companies Act 2006 — broader framework intersection — the broader Companies Act 2006 framework intersection with senior UK Company Secretary accountability extending across directors’ duties framework (s.171-177), statutory accounts framework, statutory audit framework (Part 16), statutory registers framework, statutory filings framework, AGM framework (s.336-340), members’ resolutions framework, dividend framework (Part 23), and the wider Companies Act 2006 framework dimensions.

UK Corporate Governance Code at UK FTSE-listed firms — the UK Corporate Governance Code framework operating as the principal UK corporate governance framework with associated senior UK Group Company Secretary accountability at UK FTSE-listed firms. The UK Corporate Governance Code framework dimensions include Board leadership and company purpose framework, division of responsibilities framework, composition succession and evaluation framework, audit risk and internal control framework, and remuneration framework. UK Corporate Governance Code framework application is fundamental at senior UK FTSE-listed firm Company Secretary tier.

FCA Listing Rules at UK FTSE-listed firms — the FCA Listing Rules framework with associated senior UK Group Company Secretary accountability at UK FTSE-listed firms. FCA Listing Rules framework dimensions include LR 9 (Continuing obligations), LR 10 (Significant transactions), LR 11 (Related party transactions), LR 13 (Contents of circulars), and the wider FCA Listing Rules framework dimensions specific to UK FTSE-listed firm corporate governance framework.

FCA Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules (DTR) — the FCA DTR framework with associated senior UK Group Company Secretary accountability at UK FTSE-listed firms. DTR framework dimensions include DTR 1 (General application), DTR 2 (Disclosure and control of inside information), DTR 3 (Notifications by persons discharging managerial responsibilities — PDMR notifications), DTR 4 (Periodic financial reporting), DTR 5 (Vote holder and issuer notification rules — major shareholdings), DTR 6 (Continuing obligations and access to information), and DTR 7 (Corporate governance). DTR 5 major shareholdings notifications framework intersection with senior Company Secretary accountability is particularly material at UK FTSE-listed firms.

UK Market Abuse Regulation (UK MAR) — the UK Market Abuse Regulation framework operating as the principal UK market abuse framework at UK FTSE-listed firms with associated senior UK Group Company Secretary accountability. UK MAR framework dimensions include Article 7 (Inside information framework), Article 14 (Prohibition of insider dealing and unlawful disclosure), Article 17 (Public disclosure of inside information), Article 18 (Insider lists), Article 19 (Managers’ transactions / PDMR notifications framework), and the wider UK MAR framework dimensions specific to UK FTSE-listed firm corporate governance framework.

AIM Rules at UK AIM-listed firms — the AIM Rules for Companies framework operating as the principal UK AIM-listed firm regulatory framework with associated senior UK Company Secretary accountability at UK AIM-listed firms. AIM Rules framework dimensions include AIM Rule 11 (General disclosure of price-sensitive information), AIM Rule 12 (Disclosure of corporate transactions), AIM Rule 13 (Related party transactions), AIM Rule 14 (Reverse takeovers), AIM Rule 17 (Disclosure of miscellaneous information), AIM Rule 21 (Restrictions on deals), and the wider AIM Rules framework dimensions.

Companies (Miscellaneous Reporting) Regulations 2018 — s.172 statement framework — UK regulations introducing the s.172 (Duty to promote the success of the company) statement framework with associated senior Company Secretary accountability for s.172 statement framework application at UK firms within scope. Companies (Miscellaneous Reporting) Regulations 2018 framework intersection with senior UK Company Secretary scope is particularly material at UK FTSE-listed firms and selected UK private firms within scope.

Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) — UK regulations introducing the SECR framework with associated senior UK Company Secretary intersection accountability at UK firms within scope (typical scope includes UK quoted companies, UK large unquoted companies, UK large LLPs). SECR framework intersection with senior Company Secretary accountability covers annual energy and carbon reporting framework dimensions.

Bribery Act 2010 — adequate procedures framework — the UK anti-bribery framework with associated senior UK Company Secretary intersection accountability for adequate procedures framework application at senior UK firm corporate governance framework dimensions. Bribery Act 2010 framework intersection with senior UK Company Secretary scope typically extends to senior anti-bribery policy framework, hospitality and gifts framework at Board and senior leadership tier, and the wider Bribery Act framework dimensions specific to senior corporate governance scope.

Modern Slavery Act 2015 — UK firms with annual turnover exceeding £36 million operate under Modern Slavery Act 2015 section 54 annual statement obligations with associated senior UK Company Secretary accountability for Modern Slavery Act 2015 framework application including annual modern slavery statement framework leadership.

UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 — UK data protection framework with associated senior UK Company Secretary intersection accountability for senior corporate governance data dimensions including senior Board-level data framework, statutory registers data framework, PDMR data framework, and the wider UK data protection framework dimensions specific to senior UK Company Secretary scope.

UK Company Secretary Qualification Framework — CGI Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland

UK Company Secretary appointments operate within the UK CGI Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland qualification framework with associated senior UK Company Secretary professional credential framework.

CGI — Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland (formerly ICSA) — the principal UK Company Secretary professional qualification framework administered by the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland (formerly ICSA — Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators) with CGI membership at ACG (Associate of the Chartered Governance Institute) tier and FCG (Fellow of the Chartered Governance Institute) tier operating as the standard UK senior Company Secretary professional credential. CGI ACG and FCG credentials are particularly material at UK senior Company Secretary appointments where formal UK senior Company Secretary professional credentials are specified. UK FTSE-listed firm Group Company Secretary appointments typically require CGI Fellow (FCG) status at the most senior Group Company Secretary tier.

CGI Qualifying Programme — the CGI Qualifying Programme operating as the principal UK Company Secretary professional qualification programme covering UK statutory company secretarial framework, UK corporate governance framework, UK Board secretariat framework, UK statutory filings framework, and the wider UK Company Secretary professional curriculum dimensions.

Solicitor and Barrister credentials — UK Company Secretary appointments at UK FTSE-listed firms and UK PIE entities frequently include preferences for legal qualifications (qualified Solicitor under SRA framework, qualified Barrister under Bar Standards Board framework) particularly at senior UK Company Secretary appointments combining senior governance dimensions with senior legal dimensions including senior General Counsel scope intersection where applicable.

ICAEW and ACCA chartered accountancy credentials — UK Company Secretary appointments at UK FTSE-listed firms and UK PIE entities frequently include preferences for chartered accountancy qualifications (ICAEW Chartered Accountant ACA/FCA, ACCA Chartered Certified Accountant FCCA) particularly at senior UK Company Secretary appointments combining senior governance dimensions with senior financial dimensions.

Educational background — UK Company Secretaries typically hold undergraduate degrees in law, business, accounting, finance, or sector-relevant disciplines (most commonly from UK universities) with selected senior UK Company Secretary candidates holding postgraduate qualifications (LLM, MBA, MA Corporate Governance, specialised governance qualifications) and CGI Qualifying Programme completion.

Principal UK Company Secretary Responsibilities

UK Company Secretary responsibilities vary across UK firm scenarios but typically extend across the following senior UK Company Secretary dimensions at most UK firms.

Companies Act 2006 statutory framework leadership — leading the firm’s Companies Act 2006 statutory framework application including statutory company secretary appointment framework, Companies Act 2006 directors’ duties support framework, statutory registers maintenance framework, statutory filings framework to Companies House, AGM and EGM organisation framework, members’ resolutions framework, and the wider Companies Act 2006 framework dimensions specific to senior UK Company Secretary accountability.

Board administration and Board secretariat leadership — leading the firm’s Board administration and Board secretariat framework including senior Board calendar management, senior Board agenda development, senior Board paper coordination, senior Board minute-taking, senior Board action tracking, senior Board induction framework for new directors, senior Board evaluation framework intersection where applicable, and the wider senior Board secretariat dimensions specific to senior UK Company Secretary scope.

Board committee secretariat leadership — leading the firm’s Board committee secretariat framework typically across Audit Committee secretariat, Remuneration Committee secretariat, Nomination Committee secretariat, Risk Committee secretariat where applicable, ESG/Sustainability Committee secretariat where applicable at UK FTSE-listed firms, and the wider Board committee secretariat dimensions specific to senior UK Company Secretary scope.

Statutory filings framework leadership — leading the firm’s statutory filings framework to Companies House including annual confirmation statement filings (CS01), annual accounts filings, change of director filings, change of registered office filings, change of company secretary filings, share capital filings, and the wider Companies House statutory filings framework dimensions specific to senior UK Company Secretary scope.

Statutory registers framework leadership — leading the firm’s statutory registers framework including register of members framework, register of directors framework, register of secretaries framework, register of charges framework, register of people with significant control (PSC) framework, register of debenture holders framework where applicable, and the wider statutory registers framework dimensions specific to senior UK Company Secretary scope.

UK Corporate Governance Code framework leadership at UK FTSE-listed firms — at UK FTSE-listed firms, leading the firm’s UK Corporate Governance Code framework application including Board leadership and company purpose framework leadership, division of responsibilities framework leadership, composition succession and evaluation framework leadership, audit risk and internal control framework leadership intersection with senior FD/CFO leadership, remuneration framework leadership intersection with senior HR/People leadership, and the wider UK Corporate Governance Code framework dimensions.

FCA Listing Rules framework leadership at UK FTSE-listed firms — at UK FTSE-listed firms, leading the firm’s FCA Listing Rules framework application including LR 9 continuing obligations framework, LR 10 significant transactions framework, LR 11 related party transactions framework, LR 13 circulars framework, and the wider FCA Listing Rules framework dimensions specific to UK FTSE-listed firm Company Secretary scope.

DTR and UK MAR framework leadership at UK FTSE-listed firms — at UK FTSE-listed firms, leading the firm’s DTR and UK MAR framework application including inside information framework leadership, PDMR notifications framework leadership (Article 19 UK MAR), insider lists framework leadership (Article 18 UK MAR), DTR 5 major shareholdings notifications framework leadership, and the wider DTR and UK MAR framework dimensions.

AIM Rules framework leadership at UK AIM-listed firms — at UK AIM-listed firms, leading the firm’s AIM Rules framework application including AIM Rule 11 disclosure framework, AIM Rule 12 corporate transactions framework, AIM Rule 13 related party framework, and the wider AIM Rules framework dimensions specific to UK AIM-listed firm Company Secretary scope.

Subsidiary company secretarial framework leadership at UK group structures — at UK group structures with multiple subsidiary entities, leading the firm’s subsidiary company secretarial framework including UK subsidiary statutory framework leadership, UK subsidiary Board secretariat where applicable, UK subsidiary statutory filings framework, UK group governance framework leadership intersection with senior Group Company Secretary scope, and the wider subsidiary secretarial dimensions specific to senior UK group Company Secretary scope.

Senior UK Company Secretary team leadership — at UK FTSE-listed firms and UK major firms operating with senior UK Company Secretary team scope, leading the firm’s senior UK Company Secretary team typically numbering 3-12+ senior Company Secretary direct reports (typically including Deputy Company Secretary, Assistant Company Secretary(s), Subsidiary Company Secretary roles where applicable, Board Coordinator, and other senior Company Secretary team members specific to the firm’s structure).

UK Company Secretary Required Experience

UK Company Secretary appointments typically require senior UK Company Secretary career experience across the following dimensions, with specific requirements varying by firm scenario.

Senior UK Company Secretary career background — typically 12-25+ years of senior UK Company Secretary career experience including prior senior UK Company Secretary appointments at peer UK firms, prior senior Deputy Company Secretary or senior Assistant Company Secretary career background at major UK firms with senior career progression dimensions, or prior senior UK governance or senior corporate legal career background with material UK Company Secretary scope.

Sector-specific UK Company Secretary career background — UK Company Secretary appointments typically require senior career background in the firm’s commercial sector or commercially adjacent sectors with senior UK Company Secretary dimensions that meaningfully map to the firm’s senior UK Company Secretary requirements. UK FTSE 100 Group Company Secretary candidates typically come from senior UK FTSE-listed firm Company Secretary backgrounds; UK FCA-regulated firm Company Secretary candidates typically come from UK FCA-regulated firm Company Secretary backgrounds; UK PIE entity Company Secretary candidates typically come from UK PIE-specific Company Secretary backgrounds.

UK regulatory framework familiarity — UK Company Secretary appointments require demonstrable familiarity with UK statutory company secretarial regulatory framework including Companies Act 2006 framework familiarity, UK Corporate Governance Code framework familiarity at UK FTSE-listed firm appointments, FCA Listing Rules framework familiarity at UK FTSE-listed firm appointments, DTR and UK MAR framework familiarity at UK FTSE-listed firm appointments, AIM Rules framework familiarity at UK AIM-listed firm appointments, and the wider UK regulatory framework dimensions specific to UK Company Secretary scope.

CGI qualification credential career background — UK Company Secretary appointments typically require demonstrable CGI Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland qualification career background including CGI Qualifying Programme completion, CGI ACG (Associate) status at minimum, with CGI FCG (Fellow) status at senior UK Company Secretary appointments particularly at UK FTSE-listed firm Group Company Secretary tier.

Senior Board engagement career background — UK Company Secretary appointments at UK FTSE-listed firms and UK PIE entities typically require demonstrable senior Board engagement career background including prior senior Board secretariat experience at peer UK firms, prior senior Board committee secretariat experience, prior senior Board engagement at C-Suite tier, and the wider senior Board engagement career dimensions specific to senior UK Company Secretary scope.

UK Company Secretary Compensation Calibration

UK Company Secretary compensation varies materially with firm scale, sector, and senior tier within firm structure, with material variation across UK FTSE 100 Group Company Secretary tier and UK SME Company Secretary tier reflecting senior commercial dimensions specific to each tier.

UK SME Company Secretary (typical revenue £5-30 million above audit threshold) — typical UK base salary range £55,000-£100,000, with bonus typically 10-20% of base plus selected long-term incentive arrangements where applicable at PE-backed UK SME firms. Total compensation typically £60,000-£120,000 across cash and selected equity arrangements. UK SME Company Secretary appointments frequently combine UK SME Company Secretary scope with senior commercial dimensions intersecting with senior UK SME finance leadership or senior UK SME legal leadership.

UK mid-market firm Company Secretary (typical revenue £30-150 million) — typical UK base salary range £80,000-£140,000, with bonus typically 15-30% of base plus long-term incentive arrangements. Total compensation typically £95,000-£180,000 across cash and equity arrangements at UK mid-market firms.

UK FTSE 250 Group Company Secretary — typical UK base salary range £150,000-£280,000, with bonus typically 30-60% of base plus material long-term incentive plan (LTIP) participation. Total compensation typically £200,000-£450,000+ across cash and equity arrangements at UK FTSE 250 firms.

UK FTSE 100 Group Company Secretary — typical UK base salary range £250,000-£500,000+, with bonus typically 50-100% of base plus material long-term incentive plan (LTIP) participation including share-based long-term incentive arrangements. Total compensation typically £400,000-£1,000,000+ across cash and equity arrangements at UK FTSE 100 firms, with selected senior UK FTSE 100 Group Company Secretary appointments at the upper end of the range reflecting senior commercial dimensions specific to FTSE 100 Group Company Secretary scope.

UK PIE entity Company Secretary at FCA banks and PRA insurers — typical UK PIE entity Company Secretary compensation operates within the broader UK FTSE-listed firm Group Company Secretary compensation framework with selected senior commercial dimensions specific to UK FCA-regulated firm Company Secretary scope including FCA SMCR framework intersection at senior commercial dimensions.

Sample UK Company Secretary Job Description Structure

The following sample UK Company Secretary job description structure can be adapted by UK firms specifying senior UK Company Secretary requirements internally and externally.

Position title — Company Secretary [or alternative designation: Group Company Secretary at UK group structures, Deputy Company Secretary or Assistant Company Secretary at UK firms operating with senior Company Secretary tier framework, Director of Governance and Company Secretary at UK firms operating with combined senior governance designation].

Reporting line — Reports to [Chief Executive Officer / Chairman / Lead Independent Director where applicable / Chief Financial Officer at selected UK private firms] with senior accountability to [Board where applicable, Audit Committee Chair where applicable, Nomination Committee Chair where applicable, senior shareholders, PE Investment Director at PE-backed firms].

Senior direct reports — Company Secretarial team typically including [list senior direct reports — typically Deputy Company Secretary, Assistant Company Secretary(s), Subsidiary Company Secretary roles where applicable to UK group structures, Board Coordinator, and other senior Company Secretary team members specific to the firm’s structure].

Role purpose — to lead [firm name] across [Companies Act 2006 statutory framework leadership, Board administration and Board secretariat leadership, Board committee secretariat leadership, statutory filings framework leadership, statutory registers framework leadership, UK Corporate Governance Code framework leadership at UK FTSE-listed firms, FCA Listing Rules framework leadership at UK FTSE-listed firms, DTR and UK MAR framework leadership at UK FTSE-listed firms, AIM Rules framework leadership at UK AIM-listed firms, subsidiary company secretarial framework leadership at UK group structures, senior UK Company Secretary team leadership where applicable, and the wider senior UK Company Secretary dimensions specific to the firm].

Principal responsibilities — adapt the principal responsibilities section above to the specific senior UK Company Secretary dimensions of the firm.

Required experience — adapt the required experience section above to the specific senior career background requirements of the firm.

Required qualifications — typically specify CGI Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland qualification (ACG at minimum, FCG Fellow status particularly at senior UK Company Secretary appointments at UK FTSE-listed firm Group Company Secretary tier), legal qualifications where applicable (qualified Solicitor or Barrister), chartered accountancy qualifications where applicable (ICAEW ACA/FCA, ACCA FCCA), and sector-specific qualifications where applicable.

Compensation framework — base salary range, bonus arrangements, long-term incentive plan (LTIP) participation at UK FTSE-listed firms, benefits framework including pension, and any sector-specific compensation arrangements.

Application process — application instructions, senior search firm engagement where applicable, interview process structure, senior reference and assessment requirements.

From Company Secretary Job Description to Senior Search

The Company Secretary job description is the principal artifact through which UK firms specify the senior UK Company Secretary role. The job description supports senior UK Company Secretary recruitment by articulating the senior specifications externally to candidates, internally to the senior leadership team and Board, and to senior search firms engaged on senior UK Company Secretary recruitment mandates.

For senior UK Company Secretary recruitment service engagement, see Company Secretary Recruitment for full-time permanent UK Company Secretary senior search, Interim Company Secretary for time-bound 3-9 month gap-fill UK Company Secretary appointments, Fractional Company Secretary for ongoing day-rate fractional UK Company Secretary arrangements, and Part-Time Company Secretary for ongoing part-time UK Company Secretary arrangements. For senior UK NED and Chairman senior search at UK FTSE-listed firms see sister site NED Capital. For senior UK CFO and senior UK SMF holder appointments at UK FCA-authorised firms at material seniority see sister site FD Capital.

Senior UK Company Secretary recruitment at Exec Capital follows a retained methodology calibrated to the specific dynamics of UK Company Secretary recruitment across UK FTSE-listed firms, UK PIE entities, UK private firms, UK group structures, and UK adjacent sectors. Senior search engagement begins with structured brief development that articulates the firm scenario, regulatory framework requirements, CGI qualification requirements, senior career background requirements, and the senior commercial dimensions specific to the firm. Every senior UK Company Secretary mandate at Exec Capital is led personally by Adrian Lawrence FCA.