Company Secretariat Assistant

M&G; City Of London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services company in London seeks a Company Secretariat professional to oversee governance compliance and provide support for board activities. The ideal candidate will have experience in Company Secretariat, understanding of UK company law, and strong organizational skills. This role offers opportunities for growth and development within a supportive team. Flexible working arrangements are available.

Benefits

Comprehensive training

Flexible working arrangements

Support for career development

Qualifications

• Previous experience working in Company Secretariat.
• Understanding of Companies Act and UK company law.
• Experience in meeting management, including minuting.

Responsibilities

• Support effective and efficient functioning of Boards and Committees.
• Provide governance support to subsidiary entities and board committees.
• Maintain statutory records and ensure timely filings.

Skills

Discretion and integrity

Effective communication

Excellent organizational skills

Team player

Education

University degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Diligent Boardbooks

Diligent Entities

Job description

At M&G our purpose is to give everyone real confidence to put their money to work. As an international savings and investments business with roots stretching back more than 170 years, we offer a range of financial products and services through Asset Management, Life and Wealth. All three operating segments work together to deliver attractive financial outcomes for our clients, and superior shareholder returns.

Through our behaviours of telling it like it is, owning it now, and moving it forward together with care and integrity; we are creating an exceptional place to work for exceptional talent.

We will consider flexible working arrangements for any of our roles and also offer work place accommodations to ensure you have what you need to effectively deliver in your role.

Our team:

The Company Secretariat function leads the corporate governance agenda across M&G. We deliver a professional service to the Board of M&G plc, its committees, the boards of M&G’s subsidiary companies (the “Group”), management, and other stakeholders.

The function proactively provides both operational day-to-day guidance and leads the implementation of corporate governance requirements to ensure compliance with relevant legislation, regulatory requirements, and the requirements applicable to M&G plc as a listed company.

Collaborating with colleagues in the business units, Compliance, Corporate Affairs, Finance, HR, Legal, Risk, Strategy & Transformation, the Secretariat function ensures that good standards of corporate governance operate across the Group and that local laws and statutory filing requirements are met.

Key stakeholders include Chairs, Non-Executive Directors, Executive Directors, Executive Committee members, colleagues, shareholders, regulators, external legal advisers, external auditor, the share registrar, and other third-party providers.

The Company Secretariat function is led by the Group General Counsel & Company Secretary, who reports to the Group Chief Executive Officer and is a member of the Group Executive Committee. The function is composed of approximately 20 individuals located in the UK, and there are colleagues in Company Secretariat teams globally, including India, Luxembourg, South Africa, and the US.

The role:

Reporting to the Head of Secretariat, Asset Management, you will play an important role in the delivery of Company Secretariat’s mandate to ensure that the implementation of corporate governance requirements are met and that appropriate legal and statutory compliance is maintained for the Group through the provision of board support and governance services to M&G’s Asset Management division, its Board and Committees, subsidiary entities, and executive governance.

The role will encompass legal entity management, board support, and compliance matters, including developing an understanding of the Companies Act, UK company law, and regulatory governance matters. The role holder will support the Head of Secretariat, Asset Management, in delivering best in class Company Secretariat service to the Group’s Asset Management division, including but not limited to board governance, legal entity management and compliance, executive governance, and subsidiary governance developments and horizon scanning.

The role will sit within a small team, and the role holder will be proactive in helping others within the Asset Management team, as well as the wider Company Secretariat function.

This role would be ideal for a proactive and dedicated governance professional who is wanting to learn and to develop their existing interpersonal, prioritisation and stakeholder management skillset in a supportive yet driven and friendly team environment. We provide comprehensive training and support with Chartered Governance Qualifying Programme, and working towards or willing to become a Chartered Governance professional is one of the key requirement for this role.

Key responsibilities:

• Supporting the effective and efficient function of the Boards and Board Committees of the Asset Management division and compliance with UK Company law, including statutory compliance and associated governance matters. The role holder is expected to have some knowledge of the above and will be supported to develop a greater understanding of the rules and relevant regulations, and how they apply to M&G Asset Management.
• Providing governance support to a number of subsidiary entities and board committees in the Asset Management division, including agenda preparation, quality and timeliness of papers, and preparing minutes and actions in a timely fashion.
• Provide support regarding the maintenance of statutory records for the Asset Management entities and ensuring that all filings at Companies House, including confirmation statements and annual financial statements, are made in a timely manner and within the required timeframes.
• Assisting members of the team in providing support on subsidiary governance and compliance projects as required.
• Supporting the process to ensuring developments in UK company law, subsidiary governance and best practice are monitored and tracked.
• Identifying efficiencies within the Secretariat function, including simplifying and utilising technology, automation and workflow, in core areas of governance activity.
• Drafting a range of corporate governance documents, including governance frameworks and manuals, matters reserved for boards, committee terms of reference, board effectiveness reviews, process and control documents, and board and committee papers.
• Undertaking tasks and providing any other assistance as required by the Head of Secretariat for Asset Management to ensure departmental objectives are achieved.

Experience statements:

• Previous experience working in Company Secretariat. (Essential)
• An understanding of Companies Act and UK company law, and legislation and regulation applicable to legal entity management and compliance. (Essential)
• Previous experience of meeting management including organising, attending, and minuting. (Essential)
• Microsoft Office skills, including Diligent Boardbooks and Diligent Entities.
• Experience of working with stakeholders within a company, and service providers.

Personal attributes/skills:

• Discretion and integrity in handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Self-driven and resilient.
• A desire to learn.
• Effective communicator at all levels.
• Calm and self-assured.
• Excellent organisational skills and detail orientated, with ability to prioritise.
• Strong team player, whilst also being able to work autonomously.

Qualifications:

• University degree or equivalent (desirable).

• Part qualified or willingness to undertake the Corporate Governance Institute exams.

Message from Director of Secretariat:

'It’s important to me that everyone in the Secretariat team has a clear sense of purpose, and we operate in a way which enables you to do your job in the best way possible. I will ensure that you are provided with clarity around your role and responsibilities, and there is a clear path for you to develop your career within the organisation. I believe strongly in accountability, empowerment and learning and development, and I will provide opportunities for you to grow and develop.

To be successful, you’ll have a strong desire to work in a fast paced but supportive team environment, where you will have the opportunity to make a difference. You’ll be comfortable with change, passionate about governance, and an ambassador for the Secretariat function. Your contribution will be appreciated by senior stakeholders.'

Experience Level: Experienced Colleague

Recruiter: Helen Simons

We have a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture at M&G plc, underpinned by our policies and our employee-led networks who provide networking opportunities, advice and support for the diverse communities our colleagues represent. Regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, nationality, disability or long term condition, we are looking to attract, promote and retain exceptional people. We also welcome those who take part in military service and those returning from career breaks.

M&G is also proud to be a Disability Confident Leader, and we welcome applications from candidates with long-term health conditions, disabilities, or neuro-divergent conditions. Being a Disability Confident Leader means that candidates who meet the minimum criteria of a job, will be offered an interview if they opt in to the scheme when applying.

If you need assistance or an alternative means of applying for a role due to a disability or additional need, please let us know by contacting us at: [e-mail]