General Counsel & Company Secretary

General Counsel & Company Secretary

Full-Time 100000 - 130000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Trusted Novus Bank Limited

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead governance and legal excellence while advising the Board on critical decisions.
  • Company: Join a leading bank committed to strong governance and legal integrity.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a dynamic work environment.
  • Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a fast-paced regulatory landscape.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping governance practices and ensuring legal compliance.
  • Qualifications: Qualified lawyer with experience in corporate governance and financial services.

The predicted salary is between 100000 - 130000 £ per year.

The role should have direct and effective access to the Chair, Board Committees and relevant senior executives, while maintaining appropriate professional independence in the provision of legal and governance advice.

Any reporting line should preserve the ability of the role-holder to allocate material governance, legal or regulatory concerns to the Board where necessary.

The Company Secretary and General Counsel acts as the Bank’s senior internal legal adviser on corporate governance, Board and Committee matters, statutory obligations, regulatory governance and legal risk.

The role is responsible for ensuring that the Bank operates within a robust legal and governance framework and that Board decision‑making is properly supported, documented and defensible.

The role combines technical legal expertise with governance leadership, supporting the Board, Board Committees and executive management in discharging their statutory, fiduciary, regulatory and corporate governance obligations.

As trusted legal counsel, the role provides independent and objective advice on governance, legal risk, regulatory engagement and compliance matters, while safeguarding the integrity of the Bank’s decision‑making and record‑keeping processes.

This role requires strong legal judgement, professional independence, discretion and the ability to influence senior stakeholders.

The role-holder must be able to embed sound governance practice into strategic and operational decision‑making while ensuring that legal and regulatory risks are identified, escalated and managed in a timely manner.

Key Responsibilities

  • Company Secretary
  • Lead the Company Secretariat as a centre of governance and legal excellence.
  • Planning and administering Board and Committee meetings.
  • Preparing agendas, papers and minutes to a high quality.
  • Maintaining statutory registers and corporate records and company filings.
  • Managing Board resolutions and shareholder decisions.
  • Ensuring compliance with Companies Act, Articles of Association & governance policies Co-ordinating regulatory governance matters (e. g. Board appointments).
  • Managing conflicts of interest registers and directors; declarations.
  • Establish and maintain strong legal and governance controls across the Company Secretariat function.
  • Secure and compliant records management.
  • Develop and enhance governance processes and frameworks.
  • Mentor and guide Secretariat staff in legal and governance standards
  • General Counsel

Serve as legal counsel to the Board, its Committees and the Executive Committee.

  • Ensure lawful and effective conduct of Board and Committee proceedings.
  • Advising on banking regulation and financial services law.
  • Reviewing and negotiating commercial contracts.
  • Managing litigation and disputes.
  • Advising on employment law.
  • Supporting regulatory investigations and enforcement matters.
  • Advising on data protection and privacy.
  • Advise the Chair and Directors on governance risks, conflicts of interest and the legal implications of Board and Committee decisions.
  • Manage relationships with external legal advisers.
  • Oversee legal expenditure and engagement of external counsel.
  • Coordinate legal advice across the Bank.
  • Maintain legal policies and governance frameworks.
  • Monitor emerging legal and regulatory risks.
  • Identify and advise on legal and governance risks impacting the Bank

Establish and maintain frameworks for

  • Conflicts of interest management.
  • Related-Party Transactions (RPTs).
  • Director independence and accountability.
  • Ensure appropriate governance controls are in place to mitigate legal exposure.
  • Oversee Directors & Officers (D&O) insurance and indemnity structures.
  • Regulatory & External Interface (Legal Focus)
  • Act as a key legal liaison with regulators on governance‑related matters
  • Reviewing and validating submissions for legal accuracy.
  • Advising on regulatory investigations or requests.
  • Monitor and interpret regulatory developments, providing clear legal guidance to the Board.
  • Ensure the Bank’s governance framework remains defensible and compliant.
  • Strategic Legal Advisory to Leadership
  • Act as a trusted legal advisor to the Chair and CEO
  • Strategic transactions.
  • Structural or organisational changes.
  • Governance implications of business decisions.
  • Support embedding of legally sound governance practices across the Bank.
  • Balance legal risk with commercial and strategic objectives.

Experience & Qualifications

Qualified lawyer admitted to practise in Gibraltar.

Additional professional qualification in corporate governance or company law advantageous

Senior in-house legal or governance roles Banking or financial services environment Providing legal and governance advice to Boards and senior executives

Strong expertise in

Company law and corporate governance Financial services regulation (preferably GFSC or equivalent) Legal risk identification and mitigation Excellent legal drafting and advisory skills Ability to translate complex legal issues into clear, practical guidance Strong understanding of Board dynamics and governance effectiveness

Legal Judgement & Integrity: Applies sound, independent legal reasoning Influence & Credibility: Commands respect at Board level as a trusted legal advisor

  • Communication: Articulates complex legal matters with clarity and authority
  • Professional

Independence: Maintains objectivity and challenges constructively Discretion & Ethics: Handles sensitive matters with the highest confidentiality

Strategic

Mindset: Aligns legal advice with organisational objectives Resilience & Adaptability: Operates effectively in a dynamic regulatory environment

Success Measures

Strong legal and regulatory compliance with no material governance failings Board decisions consistently underpinned by sound legal advice Effective identification and mitigation of governance‑related legal risks High‑quality, legally robust Board documentation and records Positive regulatory engagement and confidence in governance framework

Core Banking Competencies

Strong understanding of the Bank’s legal, regulatory, and risk landscape Alignment with the Bank’s governance culture and ethical standards Effective collaboration with senior stakeholders and control functions Proactive approach to legal risk management and continuous improvement

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General Counsel & Company Secretary employer: Trusted Novus Bank Limited

Trusted Novus Bank is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and development of its employees while fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture. Located in a vibrant community, we offer competitive benefits, ongoing training opportunities, and a commitment to maintaining high standards of financial integrity and regulatory compliance. Join us to be part of a dedicated team that values your contributions and supports your professional journey.

Trusted Novus Bank Limited

Contact Details:

Trusted Novus Bank Limited Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land General Counsel & Company Secretary

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We think you need these skills to ace General Counsel & Company Secretary

Legal Expertise
Corporate Governance
Regulatory Compliance
Legal Risk Management
Board Dynamics Understanding
Legal Drafting Skills
Advisory Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Highlight Your Legal Knowledge:When applying for a full-time role in legal services at Trusted Novus Bank Limited, make sure to demonstrate your understanding of key legal principles and areas of law relevant to the position. Include any specific coursework, modules, or certifications, like LPC or BPTC qualifications, that showcase your legal expertise directly on your CV.

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How to prepare for a job interview at Trusted Novus Bank Limited

Know Your Legal Principles

Brush up on foundational legal principles relevant to the specific area of law you’re applying for, whether it’s corporate, criminal, or family law. We might get asked situational questions to test your knowledge, so being articulate about key concepts will make you stand out.

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Full-time legal roles often involve case studies during interviews. Prepare to analyse a hypothetical case and discuss your approach to it. Practising this with a peer or mentor can help us refine our reasoning and articulate a solid legal argument.

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