Head of Company Secretarial and Governance

Shaw Gibbs is a growing top 35 accountancy practice that provides expert solutions for entrepreneurial businesses and private individuals in Central and Southern England. We invest in our teams of high-quality specialists who work with the best-in-breed technology to create value for our clients which exceeds expectation. Our culture is based on our company’s values of expert, respectful, innovative, and collaborative. We develop high performing teams diverse in experiences, backgrounds, and ideas.

As a growing company, there are plenty of opportunities for development and quick progression. Our practice is known for having a friendly and supportive team culture where everyone receives training and development to increase their technical knowledge and their commercial and management skills. We put our people first and are constantly looking for ways to improve our people’s experience. With respectful as one of our values, we are committed to creating an inclusive culture that respects, values, and celebrates cultural and individual differences.

We have several offices in Central and Southern England and have ambitious plans to expand our business. To support the organisation’s growth, we have created a new opportunity for a Senior Manager to join our London or Farnham team. This is a permanent full-time role with hybrid and flexible working options.

Overview

The Company Secretarial and Governance – Senior Manager will provide senior leadership across the Company Secretarial function, overseeing the delivery of governance and compliance services to a large and diverse client base of over 5,000 corporate entities. The role combines technical expertise, operational control, and commercial accountability. The individual will lead teams across multiple offices, ensure consistent and efficient service delivery, and drive financial performance while supporting the continued growth and evolution of the function.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee delivery of company secretarial and governance services across a large and varied client portfolio.
• Ensure compliance with the Companies Act and relevant governance requirements.
• Act as a senior adviser to clients on governance, statutory obligations, and best practice.
• Lead on complex, high risk, or sensitive matters.
• Lead and develop managers and teams across multiple locations.
• Drive consistency in technical standards and service delivery.
• Support recruitment, performance management, and succession planning.
• Build a high performing, accountable, and collaborative culture.
• Oversee end to end workflow, ensuring work is effectively prioritised, resourced, and delivered.
• Maintain clear oversight of pipeline, capacity, and delivery risks.
• Drive efficient use of resources and strong team utilisation.
• Lead the transition to an annual subscription service model, ensuring clear scope and pricing.
• Oversee billing and ensure timely conversion of work in progress.
• Maintain control over work in progress and minimise aged balances.
• Improve recoveries through disciplined delivery and scope management.
• Monitor operational and financial performance, taking corrective action where required.
• Drive continuous improvement in processes, systems, and scalability.
• Maintain expert knowledge of UK company law and governance developments.
• Provide guidance on complex statutory and regulatory matters.
• Ensure policies, procedures, and controls remain robust and compliant.
• Build strong relationships with key clients and internal stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities to grow services within existing portfolios.
• Support proposals and collaborate across service lines.
• Support delivery of the function’s strategy and operating model.
• Drive a more commercial and performance focused approach.
• Champion the use of technology to improve efficiency and insight.
• Contribute to growth and profitability.

Skills and Experience

• Significant experience in a senior company secretarial or governance role within professional services.
• Strong technical expertise in UK company law and governance.
• Proven experience leading teams.
• Strong commercial awareness, including billing, work in progress, and recoveries.
• Experience managing high volume, complex client portfolios.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

Job Requirements

• Chartered member or fellow of The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland (ACG or FCG) or equivalent experience.
• Alternatively, a recognised professional qualification such as Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
• Demonstrable experience operating at a senior level within a governance or company secretarial function is essential.
• Have at least 5 years practiced company secretarial experience.
• Ideally, you will have 3+ years of management experience.
• Super organised, able to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Able to prioritise workload effectively and work in a flexible manner.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Enjoys a fast-paced work environment.
• A self-starter with a high level of resilience.
• Demonstrates a strong team spirit but also very effective working independently.
• A positive “can do” attitude with a strong desire to learn and develop.

Job Benefits

• Hybrid working after successful completion of your probationary period (three days in the office and two days at home).
• Flexible working (flexing your hours around the core working hours of 10am to 4pm).
• Joining a fast-growing company with exciting growth plans ahead.
• Exposure to a wide range of clients across many industries.
• Plenty of opportunity to increase your technical knowledge and skills.
• A varied role within a talented and experienced team.
• Entry onto our next Management Development Programme – a bespoke programme aimed at developing and enhancing leadership potential for existing and aspiring managers.
• ERIC internal recognition awards – monthly recognition awards that celebrate those who champion the Shaw Gibbs values.
• Long service awards.
• Regular employee events including a company-wide summer party.
• A competitive benefits package, including:
• A 25-day core holiday allowance plus other holiday-related benefits.
• A dedicated “Wellbeing Day” – an additional day off per year to focus on your wellbeing.
• Employee Assistant Programme (EAP) which includes access to 24/7 online GP consultations, 2nd medical opinions, and mental health first aiders present in every office.
• Access to MYNDUP – a wellbeing support platform which offers confidential 1-to-1 sessions with therapists, counsellors, psychologists, and coaches.
• Shaw Gibbs Rewards – access to discounts on a wide range of retailers.
• Health Cash Plan – money back on routine health appointments.
• Electric Vehicles Salary Sacrifice Scheme.
• Client and employee referral bonuses.
• Pension Salary Sacrifice Scheme.
• Death in Service Life Assurance.
• Enhanced family leave policies.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.

Diversity, equality and inclusion

Shaw Gibbs is an inclusive employer, and we are committed to providing equal opportunities to all candidates by ensuring a comfortable and accessible interview experience. We understand that some individuals may have specific needs or require accommodation/adjustments during the recruitment process. If you require any adjustments to ensure your recruitment experience with Shaw Gibbs is as inclusive and accessible as possible, please let us know at your earliest convenience via the application form or via an email to recruitment@shawgibbs.com. We believe that diversity makes Shaw Gibbs a stronger firm and we look to employ people with different ideas, styles, and skillsets. This diversity stimulates a rich, creative environment – one in which our people develop, and our clients enjoy enduring results. We’re committed to recruiting, promoting, and rewarding our people solely based on their ability to contribute to Shaw Gibbs’ goals, without regard to their sex, gender, race, disability, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, or marital status.