Company Secretary Trainee

Flex Legal is delighted to be recruiting its third cohort of Company Secretary trainees. Following the success of our legal training programmes and the fantastic launch of our CoSec scheme with household-name companies like The Crown Estate and Diageo, we are looking for the next generation of governance leaders. This programme is designed for academically strong graduates from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds who are keen to build an exciting and influential career by qualifying as a Company Secretary.

The role of a trainee Company Secretary is varied and dynamic. You will be part of a team that is responsible for ensuring the company operates smoothly and complies with its statutory and regulatory obligations. Every trainee will have a slightly different experience, depending on the client they are seconded to, but key responsibilities could include:

• Board and Committee Support: Assisting with the planning and organisation of board and committee meetings. Helping to prepare and distribute board packs and other meeting materials. Developing skills in writing minutes and creating minute templates.
• Annual Reporting and General Meetings: Supporting the team in running the entire annual report & accounts process. Assisting in the organisation of the Annual General Meeting (AGM), including liaising with registrars, preparing key documents and minuting meetings.
• Corporate Governance and Compliance: Making statutory filings with Companies House and maintaining statutory records. Maintaining and updating in-house compliance software to ensure deadlines are met. Researching changes in regulations and legislation to keep the team updated.
• Stakeholder and Project Management: Collaborating with cross-functional teams such as Legal, Finance, and Investor Relations on various projects. Assisting with special projects which could include mergers, share capital adjustments, or director onboarding. Liaising with various stakeholders throughout the business.
• General and Administrative Tasks: Managing document signings and notarisation. Responding to routine queries from the business and auditors. Performing general administrative duties to support the team.

What you receive:

• A year 1 salary of £32,000 in London or £28,000 in the regions.
• A year 2 salary of £35,000 in London or £31,000 in the regions.
• You will study Part One of the Chartered Governance Institute's Qualifying Programme and tuition will be arranged with an external provider.
• Working 4.5 days a week whilst studying.
• A three week Readiness Programme before you start your first placement to allow you to hit the ground running.
• An in-house supervisor, who will meet with Flex every month to review your progress.
• Regular coaching opportunities and an industry mentor in Y2.
• Professional development opportunities with Flex through professional and industry networking events.
• A range of personal benefits, including a cycle to work scheme, nursery benefits and private health care with Bupa (upon successful passing of probation).

The ideal candidate:

• A minimum 2:1 degree in Law, Business Studies or Business Management, Accounting, or a related field.
• You must meet our social mobility criteria, which is designed to support aspiring professionals from diverse backgrounds.
• A strong and demonstrable commitment to completing the Corporate Governance Institute exams and qualifying as a Governance professional.
• Successful candidates will be required to demonstrate their right to work in the UK.
• You are a proactive and curious individual who enjoys learning and wants to build a career in governance.
• We are looking for candidates who demonstrate:

• A passion for governance: A genuine interest in corporate governance, company law, and how companies operate.
• Excellent communication: The ability to listen, absorb information, and communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing, with strong attention to detail.
• Strong organisational skills: You are comfortable multi-tasking, working under pressure, prioritising tasks, and meeting deadlines.
• A collaborative mindset: You are a good team player, comfortable collaborating with different areas and levels of the business to deliver excellent service.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills: You have good analytical skills and the ability to develop a problem-solving mindset.
• A proactive and positive attitude: You are a self-starter, keen to develop your skills, and embrace new technologies like AI to improve processes.