Company Secretary (NHS AfC: Band 8d) - South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 91,000 - 106,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare service provider in Exeter is looking for an experienced Company Secretary to lead governance activities. The role involves advising the Board, ensuring compliance, and managing the Corporate Governance teams. Required qualifications include a Master's degree and ICSA qualification. This full-time position offers a hybrid working model with a salary range of £91,342 - £105,337 per annum.

Benefits

Holiday entitlements of 27 days per year

Career progression opportunities

Free parking across Trust sites

Qualifications

• Proven NHS governance leadership experience.
• Extensive experience in senior governance roles.
• Demonstrable project management experience.

Responsibilities

• Advise the Board and CEO on governance matters.
• Lead Corporate Governance and Executive Office teams.
• Ensure effective decision-making processes.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Strategic thinking

Education

Master's degree or equivalent experience

ICSA qualification

Job description

Main area Company Secretary Grade NHS AfC: Band 8d Contract Permanent Hours

• Full time
• Home or remote working

37.5 hours per week (Hybrid model - 2 days per week in Trust HQ, Exeter) Job ref 202-7334508

Employer South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site South Western Ambulance Service Trust HQ Town Exeter Salary £91,342 - £105,337 Per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 27/08/2025 23:59

Company Secretary

NHS AfC: Band 8d

Job overview

We’re seeking a strategic and experienced Company Secretaryto lead our corporate governance and assurance functions. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, you’ll work closely with the Chair and Board to ensure compliance, transparency, and effective decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

- Advise the Board and CEO on governance and regulatory matters

- Lead the Corporate Governance and Executive Office teams

- Oversee Board Assurance Framework and membership functions

- Support Non-Executive Director recruitment and development

What You’ll Bring

- Master’s degree or equivalent experience

- ICSA qualification (or willingness to obtain)

- Proven NHS governance leadership

- Strong communication and strategic thinking skills

Join us to help shape the future of high-quality patient care through outstanding governance.

Main duties of the job

Board of Directors

• Primary point of contact and source of advice and guidance for Non-Executive Directors in regards to the Trust and its activities in order to support the decision making process.
• Act as lead support for the Chair in the effective functioning of the Board of Directors.

Company Secretary

• Facilitate the smooth operation of the Trust’s formal decision making and reporting mechanisms.
• Comply with and manage processes and procedures which are legal requirementsfor the sound corporate governance of the Trust and will advise the Chair, CEO , Board of Directors and Council of Governors directly.
• Organise Board of Directors Meetings and development sessions as agreed with Chair and CEO.

Supporting the Council of Governors and Managing Membership

• Ensure that effective relationships between the Board of Directors and Council of Governors are established and maintained and that the actions of the Board and Council comply with standing orders and other appropriate legalities
• Provide the secretariat functions for the Council of Governors and its statutory and non-statutory subgroups.

Other

• Support the Chief Executive in drafting their ‘state of the nation’ briefings for Board, Council of Governors, and Senior Leadership Team.
• As a budget holder, manage the Corporate Governance budget in line with standing financial instructions and standing orders.
• Identify and address training and development needs of staff.
• Induct new staff within team as appropriate.

Working for our organisation

Working for us is an experience like no other. We provide emergency and urgent care, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, operating across the largest ambulance region in England and responding to an average of 2,650 incidents every day.

We remain committed to ensuring that we provide the best possible care for all our patients, which is reflected in our new five-year strategy which has continually improving patient care at its very core.

The role is based in Exeter, one of the most vibrant, attractive and historically interesting cities in England, with excellent transport links and a great mix of independent shops, cafes and bars.

If you embody our values of one team, compassionate and innovative and are looking to make a real difference to peoples’ lives, then we would love to hear from you.

In return we will equip you with the skills and resources you need to thrive in your role.

You will have opportunities to progress to roles across the Trust and enjoy continuous professional development.

• A standard working week of 37.5 hours
• Holiday entitlements of 27 days per year, plus general and public holidays, rising to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
• Pay enhancements for out of hours, shift and overtime working
• Career and salary progression
• Car leasing scheme
• Free parking across Trust sites
• Staff networks
• Wide range of discounts from various organisations across the UK

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For more detailed information on the main responsibilities of this role please refer to the attached job description.

Person specification

Education and qualifications

• Educated to a Masters level or equivalent experience
• Recognised Company Secretary Qualification (ICSA Membership) or prepared to undertake

Previous experience (Paid/ Unpaid relevant to job)

• Extensive proven experience of working in a large organisation in a senior governance role
• Proven experience in senior leadership roles in the NHS advising Boards/Executive teams and working at board level within a large and complex organisation and system
• Experience of managing challenging situations, dealing with third party, external organisations and performance managing their activity where necessary.
• Demonstrable evidence of project management experience and the delivery of objectives

Employer certification / accreditation badges

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.