Assistant Company Secretary

We embrace agile working and offer a blended approach to where and how we work.

We have the following hubs across the UK: Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Leeds, Leicester, Lincoln, London, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Nottingham, Sheffield, Stratford upon Avon & Tunbridge Wells.

Want to find out more about our amazing benefits?

Additional information:
Please be aware, for some vacancies, where we receive high numbers of applications we may need to bring the close date forward.

Due to the nature of the work undertaken, confirmation of employment will be subject to a variety of checks which will be carried out once an offer of employment is accepted. Details of the checks can be found here.

Equal opportunities
Shakespeare Martineau is a committed equal opportunities employer. We seek to attract, develop and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures. We value and respect individuality and encourage a culture within our business where people can be themselves and be valued for their strengths and experiences. Everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, regardless of their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.

We are seeking an experienced Assistant Company Secretary to join our dynamic Corporate Governance team.

This is an excellent opportunity for a governance professional looking to further develop their career while gaining exposure to a varied portfolio of Main Market, AIM and AQSE-listed companies, alongside larger private limited companies.

Working closely with senior members of the Company Secretarial team, you will play an important role in delivering high-quality company secretarial services to clients, supporting boards of directors and senior executives on a broad range of governance, compliance and company law matters.

• Management of a portfolio of listed and private company clients.
• Preparation of board and committee meeting agendas and board packs in conjunction with senior stakeholders.
• Attending board and committee meetings and preparing high-quality draft minutes and action schedules.
• Providing day-to-day company secretarial support and guidance to clients.
• Supporting compliance with the Companies Act 2006, Corporate Governance requirements, Listing Rules, DTRs, AIM Rules and other regulatory obligations.
• Supporting the preparation and review of Annual Reports, including governance sections.
• Coordinating AGM processes, including drafting documentation, proxy monitoring and attendance where required.
• Preparing and filing statutory forms with Companies House.
• Maintaining statutory registers and corporate records using Diligent Entities or other governance software.
• Liaising with clients and external advisers including auditors, registrars, solicitors and brokers.
• Supporting senior Company Secretaries and Partners in delivering an exceptional client service.
• Keeping up to date with regulatory developments and governance best practice.

Location: London or Birmingham preferred, although we can be flexible
Contract Type: Permanent

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• CGI part-qualified, qualified, or actively progressing towards qualification.
• Previous experience working as an Assistant Company Secretary or in a comparable governance position.
• Experience supporting listed and/or private companies, ideally including exposure to Main Market, AIM or AQSE-listed entities.
• Sound knowledge of the Companies Act 2006 and company secretarial best practice.
• Experience preparing board packs, attending meetings and drafting minutes.
• Exposure to annual reporting, statutory compliance and Companies House filings.
• Strong understanding of corporate governance principles and regulatory compliance.

Key Competencies

• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with confidence interacting with senior stakeholders.
• Able to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Demonstrates professionalism, discretion and sound judgement when handling confidential information.