A company secretary is a senior governance professional who helps an organisation operate within its legal, regulatory and corporate governance framework. The position involves much more than traditional administrative work. Depending on the organisation, the role can include supporting directors, preparing board meetings, maintaining corporate records, monitoring compliance and helping senior leaders make properly informed decisions. The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland describes the modern governance professional as a trusted adviser whose responsibilities extend well beyond basic company administration.

For UK businesses, the role can be particularly valuable because companies must keep their corporate information and filings properly managed. Every company has information that must be provided to Companies House, including confirmation statements and relevant changes to company details. A skilled governance professional can therefore help directors understand their responsibilities, maintain accurate records and establish processes that support effective decision-making.

What Does a Company Secretary Do?

The daily work can vary considerably depending on the size and type of organisation. Typical responsibilities include arranging board and committee meetings, preparing agendas and papers, recording decisions, monitoring follow-up actions and maintaining important corporate documentation. The National Careers Service also identifies tasks such as preparing company reports, dealing with lawyers and auditors, providing advice to directors and sending relevant company information to Companies House or the Stock Exchange.

Another important part of the position is acting as a link between different areas of an organisation. Directors may need guidance on governance procedures, while shareholders, executives, lawyers, auditors and regulators may require accurate information. The modern role therefore combines technical knowledge with communication and judgement. CGI’s competency framework highlights planning, organisation, record-keeping, specialist knowledge, professional values and practical application as important areas for governance professionals.

The Role and Responsibilities of a Company Secretary

A strong company secretary helps the board work effectively by creating reliable processes around meetings, information and decisions. This can involve maintaining the annual meeting calendar, preparing board packs, recording minutes, tracking action points and ensuring important governance information reaches the appropriate people at the right time. The role may also involve advising on legislative or regulatory developments and helping directors understand how changes could affect the organisation.

The responsibilities can become broader as an organisation grows or faces major change. Governance professionals may support shareholder relationships, annual general meetings, corporate transactions, board evaluations, director induction and governance reporting. In some organisations, they may also take responsibility for related areas such as compliance, data protection or strategic projects. CGI notes that modern governance roles can extend well beyond traditional minute-taking and record-keeping.

Is a Company Secretary Required in the UK?

The legal requirement depends on the type of company. A private company generally does not need to appoint a secretary unless its articles of association require one. GOV.UK states that a private company secretary does not need specific qualifications. Public companies have different requirements: a public company must have at least one secretary who meets the relevant qualification requirements.

Even where an appointment is not legally required, professional governance support can still be useful. Companies must keep information at Companies House accurate and report certain changes, including appointments or terminations involving company secretaries. A confirmation statement must also be filed at least once every 12 months, even when there have been no changes to the company’s information.

Company Secretary Qualifications, Courses and Training

There is no single educational route that every professional must follow. The National Careers Service lists university subjects such as business management, law, accountancy, finance and public administration as possible routes. Other options include college study, apprenticeships, trainee positions and professional-body training. This makes the profession accessible to people with different academic and professional backgrounds.

Professional development can become increasingly important as responsibilities grow. The Chartered Governance Institute offers routes towards Chartered status and describes its qualification pathway as a way of developing the knowledge, skills and experience required for significant governance responsibilities. Training can also focus on practical areas such as board governance, company law, regulatory compliance, stakeholder relationships and emerging subjects including ESG, GDPR and AI.

Company Secretary Jobs, Salaries and Career Progression

Company secretary jobs are available across private businesses, listed companies, financial services, charities, public organisations and other sectors. Entry-level candidates may begin in governance administration or trainee positions before progressing into assistant and senior roles. The National Careers Service currently lists a salary range of £28,000 to £95,000 for the occupation, although actual pay depends on experience, responsibilities, employer and location.

More senior positions can command substantially higher salaries. Prospects reports graduate trainee salaries of around £20,000 to £35,000, while assistant and senior governance positions can progress into significantly higher salary bands. It also notes that location, professional qualifications, experience and organisational size can affect earnings, with London and the South East typically offering higher salaries. Career progression can lead towards senior company secretarial, governance leadership and other executive roles.

In-House and Outsourced Company Secretary Services

Company SecretaryNot every organisation needs a large internal governance team. Smaller businesses may choose outsourced company secretarial services when they want specialist support without employing a Company Secretary full-time professional. An external provider may help with corporate records, statutory administration, board processes, governance documentation and other agreed responsibilities. This approach can give directors access to specialist knowledge while allowing the business to use its internal resources elsewhere.

An in-house professional, by contrast, can develop detailed knowledge of the organisation’s board, people, history and commercial priorities. This can be especially useful for larger or more complex organisations where governance requirements are extensive. The right structure depends on factors such as company size, legal requirements, transaction activity, board complexity and available internal expertise rather than simply choosing one model for every business.

Key Skills for a Successful Company Secretary

The modern profession requires a combination of technical knowledge and people skills. Attention to detail is essential because governance documents, corporate records and regulatory information need to be accurate. Strong written and verbal communication is equally important because the role often involves working with directors, senior executives, shareholders and external advisers. The National Careers Service highlights business management, communication, organisation, flexibility and logical reasoning among the skills used in this career.

Professional judgement is also increasingly important. CGI’s 2026 research reports that 65% of surveyed governance professionals said the influence of the governance function was increasing, based on responses from 971 professionals across listed companies, financial services, private businesses, charities and the wider not-for-profit sector. This reflects a broader shift towards governance professionals supporting decision-making, organisational change and stakeholder expectations rather than simply maintaining records.

Conclusion

A company secretary plays an important role in helping organisations maintain effective governance, meet corporate requirements and support their boards. The work can range from meeting administration and statutory records to regulatory advice, shareholder communication and strategic governance support. While the exact responsibilities differ between organisations, accuracy, discretion, communication and a strong understanding of governance remain central to the profession.

For people considering this as a career, there are several routes into the field, including university study, apprenticeships, trainee positions and professional qualifications. For businesses, the choice between an internal professional and outsourced support depends on their individual needs and circumstances. Understanding those differences can help directors create governance arrangements that are practical, organised and appropriate for their organisation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a company secretary do?
They support directors and boards with governance, compliance, meetings, records, reporting and other corporate responsibilities.

Is a company secretary a director?
A company secretary is a separate corporate role, although the rules can allow a secretary of a private company to also be a director subject to the relevant restrictions.

Do you need a qualification to become a company secretary?
Not every role requires a formal qualification, but professional qualifications and relevant experience can support career progression.

How much does a company secretary earn in the UK?
The National Careers Service lists £28,000 to £95,000 as its current salary range, while senior roles can earn more depending on circumstances.

What is the difference between a company secretary and an assistant company secretary?
An assistant typically supports senior governance professionals and may take on greater responsibilities as their experience develops.

Can a company secretary work remotely?
Some governance roles can be performed partly or fully remotely, although meeting schedules, confidentiality and organisational requirements vary between employers.

Can a private limited company operate without a company secretary?
Yes, a private company generally does not need a secretary unless its articles of association require one.

What qualifications are useful for company secretary jobs?
Law, finance, accountancy and business-related qualifications can be useful, alongside professional governance training and relevant practical experience.

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