Company Secretary CV Example
A company secretary CV should present your expertise in corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and board-level administration, ensuring the organisation meets its statutory obligations.
Recommended template: StructuredPro
Key Skills to Include
Quick Tips
- Highlight your ICSA or CGI qualification and any continuing professional development.
- Detail the size and type of organisations you have supported at board level.
- Include examples of governance improvements or compliance initiatives you have led.
- Demonstrate your ability to advise directors on their legal and fiduciary duties.
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Upgrade to ProHow to Write Your Company Secretary CV
A company secretary CV must convey technical expertise, professionalism, and the ability to operate at board level. Employers and recruitment consultants expect to see evidence of your governance knowledge, regulatory experience, and capacity to manage complex corporate structures. Your CV should position you as a trusted adviser who ensures organisations operate within legal and regulatory frameworks while supporting effective decision-making.
CV Structure
Use a reverse-chronological format with a strong profile that states your qualification status and governance experience. Each role should describe the organisation, its corporate structure, and your scope of responsibility. Separate responsibilities from achievements and ensure achievements demonstrate your impact on compliance, governance quality, or process efficiency. A two-page CV is standard.
CV Format
Select a professional, conservative template reflecting the formality expected in governance and company secretarial circles. Ensure your ICSA or CGI qualification is prominently displayed. Use consistent formatting for dates, bullet points, and headings. Save as a PDF and avoid any decorative elements.
CV Profile Examples
Experienced Company Secretary
ICSA-qualified company secretary with ten years of experience providing governance and compliance support to boards of directors across listed and private companies. Skilled in managing Companies House filings, organising AGMs, and maintaining statutory registers. Trusted adviser to board members on matters of company law, regulatory obligations, and best practice governance frameworks.
Deputy Company Secretary
Diligent deputy company secretary with six years of experience supporting the group company secretary of a FTSE 250 financial services firm. Experienced in board meeting coordination, subsidiary governance, and shareholder communications. Combines a thorough understanding of the Companies Act 2006 with excellent organisational skills and discretion when handling sensitive board matters.
Company Secretary — Charity Sector
Chartered governance professional with eight years of experience as company secretary for large charitable organisations and housing associations. Expert in Charity Commission and FCA reporting requirements, trustee governance, and compliance with sector-specific regulations. Passionate about supporting purpose-driven organisations with robust governance structures.
State your qualification, years of experience, and the types of organisations you have supported. Mention the size and complexity of corporate structures and highlight one defining achievement or area of specialist expertise.
Key Skills for Your Company Secretary CV
Corporate Governance
Advising boards on governance frameworks, codes of practice, and director responsibilities to ensure effective and compliant decision-making.
Board Administration
Organising board and committee meetings, preparing agendas and papers, and drafting accurate formal minutes.
Companies House Filings
Preparing and submitting statutory filings including annual confirmations, director changes, and resolutions on time.
Regulatory Compliance
Ensuring the organisation meets its obligations under the Companies Act, listing rules, and sector-specific regulations.
Minute Taking & Drafting
Producing clear, accurate minutes that capture key discussions, decisions, and action points from board meetings.
Shareholder Relations
Managing communications with shareholders including issuing notices, processing transfers, and coordinating AGMs.
Company Law Knowledge
Applying the Companies Act 2006 and related legislation to advise on corporate transactions, governance, and compliance.
ICSA / CGI Qualified
Holding the Chartered Governance Institute qualification, the professional standard for company secretaries in the UK.
Entity Management
Using entity management software to maintain corporate structures, statutory records, and compliance deadlines.
Work Experience Examples
For each role, describe the corporate structure, number of entities, and your governance scope. Include responsibilities covering board administration, regulatory filings, and advisory work. Achievements should demonstrate compliance improvements, successful governance reviews, or complex projects such as group restructures or IPO support.
Company Secretary
Ashbourne Holdings Plc
Served as company secretary for an AIM-listed investment holding group with twelve subsidiary companies and a combined turnover of £95M.
Responsibilities
- Managed all Companies House filings including annual confirmations, director appointments, and changes to articles of association across the group.
- Organised and administered six board meetings and two AGMs annually, preparing agendas, board packs, and formal minutes.
- Maintained statutory registers and ensured compliance with the Companies Act 2006 and AIM Rules for Companies.
- Advised directors on their duties, conflicts of interest, and the governance implications of proposed transactions.
- Coordinated shareholder communications including annual reports, circulars, and proxy materials.
Achievements
- Led a governance review that resulted in the adoption of the QCA Corporate Governance Code, strengthening investor confidence and board accountability.
- Reduced Companies House filing errors to zero across a two-year period by implementing a compliance calendar and secondary review process.
- Successfully managed the governance aspects of a group restructure involving the formation of three new subsidiaries and two dissolutions.
Assistant Company Secretary
Fielding & Barnes LLP
Supported the company secretarial function for a portfolio of 30 client companies at a professional services firm specialising in corporate governance.
Responsibilities
- Prepared board and committee meeting packs, drafted minutes, and maintained action trackers for multiple clients.
- Filed annual confirmation statements, resolutions, and changes in registered office details with Companies House.
- Assisted with share capital administration including share allotments, transfers, and stock transfer form processing.
- Conducted periodic governance health checks for clients and recommended improvements aligned with best practice.
Achievements
- Managed the seamless transition of 15 client companies to a new entity management software platform within a three-month window.
- Received consistent positive feedback from clients, with a 97% satisfaction rate in the annual client survey.
Education & Qualifications
Lead with your ICSA or CGI qualification, followed by your degree and any postgraduate diplomas. Include continuing professional development courses relevant to governance, company law, or regulation. If you hold additional qualifications such as a law degree or professional legal training, these add value.
ICSA / CGI Qualified
Chartered Governance Institute qualification, the standard professional credential for company secretaries.
GradCG
Graduate membership of the Chartered Governance Institute, indicating completion of the qualifying programme.
LLB Law
A law degree providing a strong foundation in company law, contract law, and regulatory frameworks.
Certificate in Corporate Governance
A focused qualification covering governance codes, board effectiveness, and compliance frameworks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications do I need for a company secretary CV?
How do I describe board-level experience on my CV?
Should I include subsidiary governance on my company secretary CV?
What achievements should a company secretary highlight?
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