Assistant Company Secretary & Insurance Manager - Dunstable

Location: Dunstable, hybrid working 3 days in the office, 2 days working from home/another location

Function: General Counsel - Secretariat & Insurance

Salary: £70,000 - £80,000 dependant on skills and experiences + car allowance worth £5,650 + up to 30% bonus + health + 10% matched pension + benefits

Are you driven by excellence in corporate governance? Do you thrive in roles where precision, influence, and trusted counsel shape how a major UK listed company operates? This is your opportunity to join Whitbread, one of the UK’s most recognisable hospitality and leisure businesses, as we continue delivering industry leading standards in governance, transparency and risk protection.

We’re looking for an Assistant Company Secretary & Insurance Manager who will play a pivotal role in ensuring our Board, its Committees, and our Executive Committee (ExCo) are supported with robust governance frameworks, accurate and timely information, and a well designed insurance programme that protects the Group.

In this high profile position, you will help safeguard Whitbread’s reputation as a FTSE listed organisation that leads with integrity. You’ll advise senior leaders, enable effective Board operations, oversee key compliance requirements, and ensure our insurance programme is comprehensive, efficient and strategically aligned. This is a role where your expertise and judgement will directly influence the quality of governance across the business.

In this varied and impactful role, you will:

• Governance & Compliance
  • Ensure Whitbread PLC and its subsidiaries remain fully compliant with the Companies Act and the UK Corporate Governance Code.
  • Play a central role in drafting and delivering the Annual Report and the AGM.
  • Manage the Company’s Share Dealing Code and compliance with the Market Abuse Directive.
  • Lead the timely release of accurate stock exchange announcements.
  • Maintain up to date governance content on the Whitbread PLC website.
  • Support compliance across overseas subsidiaries, ensuring directors understand their responsibilities.
• Board & ExCo Support
  • Provide expert governance advice to the Board, its Committees and ExCo.
  • Ensure seamless delivery of Board processes, information flows and governance frameworks.
  • Play a key role in crisis management planning, training and response readiness.
• Shares & Shareholder Engagement
  • Deliver the annual Sharesave invitation and maturity processes.
  • Oversee discretionary share schemes in partnership with external providers.
  • Manage the shareholder benefits scheme, from card production to year round queries.
  • Maintain the register of substantial shareholders and oversee issued share capital records.
• Insurance Management
  • Produce renewal data and ensure insurers are kept updated throughout the year.
  • Help maintain strong relationships with current and potential insurers.
  • Review liability claims and approve settlement recommendations.

We’re looking for a motivated governance professional who can combine technical expertise with exceptional communication and influence. You will have:

• Knowledge & Skills
  • Strong understanding of the Companies Act and UK Corporate Governance Code.
  • Knowledge of share schemes.
  • Insurance knowledge is beneficial but not essential.
  • Excellent analytical, communication and influencing skills.
  • Strong project management and presentation ability.
  • Exceptional attention to detail and judgement.
• Experience
  • Qualified Company Secretary.
  • Post qualification experience in a listed company environment.
  • Proven experience in corporate governance, stakeholder engagement, and managing confidential, high impact information.

At Whitbread, you’ll be joining a supportive, forward thinking team that values integrity, trust and growth. You’ll work with senior leaders across the business, enjoy opportunities to enhance your governance expertise, and contribute to a company with a proud history and ambitious plans for the future.

Ready to take the next step? If you’re passionate about corporate governance and want to make a meaningful impact in a FTSE listed organisation, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now and help shape the future of governance at Whitbread.