Job Title: Company Secretary
Location: London
Job Type: Full-time (3 Days in the office)
A leading Retail Investment Trust is seeking an experienced Company Secretary to strengthen governance, support the Board and its Committees, and oversee statutory and regulatory compliance across a diverse group structure. This role offers significant exposure to Directors, senior stakeholders and external partners, and plays a key part in maintaining high corporate governance standards.
Key Responsibilities
Board & Committee Support
* Coordinate Board and Committee meetings, including agendas, papers, minutes, and follow-up actions.
* Maintain the Board’s Schedule of Matters Reserved and keep governance documentation up to date.
* Prepare quarterly Secretary’s Reports on governance and regulatory changes.
* Provide secretariat support to the Audit, Remuneration and Nomination Committees.
Corporate Governance & Director Support
* Maintain registers of Directors’ interests, shareholdings, time commitments and skills matrices.
* Arrange Director training and briefings on regulatory developments.
* Support Board succession planning and annual Board evaluation processes.
Annual Reporting & Disclosures
* Contribute to governance sections of the Annual Report, including Committee reports, Directors’ Report and s172 disclosures.
* Coordinate Companies House filings, signature collation and shareholder communications.
* Review and maintain required governance information on the company website.
Shareholder & AGM Administration
* Manage all preparations for the AGM, including Notice drafting, proxy processes, and minuting the meeting.
* Liaise with registrars, proxy advisers and shareholders on governance and voting matters.
* Support dividend processes, share issues and Scrip Dividend programmes.
Regulatory Compliance (MAR)
* Manage PDMR and insider lists, dealing approvals and close period notifications.
* Prepare and submit regulatory disclosures to the market and FCA.
Statutory & Entity Management
* Maintain statutory books for UK entities and ensure compliance with Companies Act requirements.
* Oversee confirmation statements, director changes and statutory filings.
* Support entity lifecycle events including incorporations, restructures and dissolutions.
* Update and manage the Group structure chart.
Joint Ventures & General Governance
* Attend and minute JV Board meetings and support statutory approvals.
* Oversee governance policies (e.g., anti-bribery, whistleblowing) and monitor regulatory developments.
* Handle KYC enquiries, LEI renewals, trademark renewals, and other governance administration.
Essential Qualifications & Experience
* ICSA/CGI qualification.
* Minimum 5 years’ experience in a company secretarial or governance role.
* Strong experience supporting Boards and Committees.
* Excellent organisational skills and stakeholder management ability.
* Solid understanding of company law, governance frameworks and MAR obligations.
Desirable
* Experience with entity management platforms.
* Background in investment management, real estate or related sectors.