Assistant Company Secretary
Contract: Full-time, permanent
Location: Marble Arch, London / Hybrid.
We are looking for a qualified and experienced Assistant Company Secretary who is looking to expand their professional development with us.
You will have the chance to be part of a small but dynamic team of generalist Company Secretaries responsible for many internal and external services. Your role in this team would cover corporate governance to global subsidiary management and responsibility for the administration of share schemes.
You will have global exposure which will involve high-level stakeholder engagement to ensure our company adheres to relevant local legislation and regulations. If you have a keen interest in corporate governance and a career in Company Secretariat, this is a great opportunity to develop your career. It’s an exciting time to be joining Tate & Lyle, as we are a company undertaking M&A work, including our 2022 Class 1 demerger, associated special dividend and share consolidation, and our 2022 Class 2 acquisition of Quantum in China.
The opportunity
You will be a part of a small and supportive team that delivers traditional core secretariat services coupled with a wider range of services to internal and external stakeholders. The right candidate will have a keen interest in Company Secretariat and Corporate Governance, and will be willing to get involved with all aspects of the department.
Our Company Secretariat comprises generalists over the four broad categories of PLC Board and Corporate Governance, listed Shareholder Services and Company Regulation, Share Plans, and Global Subsidiaries, rather than dedicated specialists. This set up provides the opportunity to be a to go-to point of contact on exciting M&A work across the subsidiaries, and be involved in PLC governance.
What you will be doing
You will have your core responsibilities in several categories and will also lead multiple projects depending on experience to date and your personal development objectives. More specifically, you could be involved with the following areas and associated activities:
Group subsidiaries
1. Liaising with overseas financial controllers to implement best practice for subsidiary governance and ensure subsidiary changes are recorded and up to date on the corporate database.
2. Managing the relationship with external subsidiary governance providers across EMEA, APAC, and some of LATAM.
3. Identifying opportunities for, and implementing improved processes in subsidiary governance.
4. Responsible for the statutory and regulatory administration of UK Group Subsidiaries, including directorate changes, confirmation statements, and any other filings required to be made with Companies House.
5. Working in cross-functional teams to deliver subsidiary re-organisation projects, capital injections, board governance and compliance reviews, providing Company Secretarial support and insight.
6. Responsibility to produce the Group Structure Chart and Related Parties disclosures.
Listed Company Regulation / Shareholder Services
7. Ad hoc support to the Group Company Secretary
8. Drafting, proofing and publishing stock exchange announcements
9. Maintaining the Group's share capital records ensuring information held is up to date and accurate, including working with the Trust and Registrar
10. Developing external relationships with the Registrar, working closely to resolve any shareholder queries and monitor shareholder strategy
11. Managing the Company's dividend process including proofing the dividend stationery, identifying improvements, and ensuring timely payment is made
12. Maintaining the Company Insider Lists on Insidertrack and ensure employees are notified of closed periods
13. Involvement and broad oversight of the production, proofing, and editing of the Company's Annual Report, providing editorial input in the governance report and other relevant areas
Share Schemes
14. Administration of the Group's executive share schemes on Shareworks, including the granting, lapsing, vesting, exercise, release, and reporting of share awards
15. Developing and improving the promotion of the Company's SAYE plan, overseeing the offer and maturity process
16. Providing support to employee shareholders on executive share schemes and SAYE
Location
This role is attached to our beautiful central London office and we also enjoy hybrid working.
What you’ll need to have
Whichever level of experience you have so far, to be happy and successful in the role you must have:
17. Qualified under the Chartered Governance Institute’s CGQS programme, or equivalent degree
18. Time working in a Company Secretariat Team, ideally in a listed company
19. An understanding of common share schemes
20. Knowledge of UK Company Law, UK Corporate Governance Code, Listing and Transparency and Disclosure rules
21. A demonstrable desire to learn about Company Secretariat and understand Corporate Governance
22. Excellent verbal and written communication skills
23. Excellent IT skills
24. The ability to take initiative and liaise confidently with stakeholders
25. Great attention to detail
26. Time management skills with a focus on delivery and prioritisation
27. The ability to support and work with a team
28. Creative problem-solving skills
Ideally, you may also be able to demonstrate
29. A working knowledge of Kube, Shareworks and Insidertrack
30. Ownership of group processes
What you will get
As a business operating in 50 countries worldwide, we offer a global rewards package to all employees alongside a range of country-specific benefits. The global package includes a bonus scheme, 16-week Equal Parental Leave and mental health & well-being support.
Benefits include:
Flexible working policy
Competitive salary
Contributory pension
Medical insurance
Life assurance