Company Secretary Trainee Programme

Flex Legal; Greater London; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Flex Legal is recruiting for its Company Secretary Trainee Programme, aimed at academically strong graduates. The role offers a unique opportunity to develop skills akin to a lawyer while ensuring corporate governance compliance. Trainees will work closely with top management, gaining invaluable insights and experience in a corporate environment. This full-time position includes a readiness programme and secondment to in-house teams, providing a comprehensive pathway to a rewarding career in corporate governance.

Qualifications

• Graduates must have a minimum 2.1 in relevant fields.
• Commitment to passing Governance Institute exams.

Responsibilities

• Assist with statutory filings in the UK and internationally.
• Manage corporate signings and documentation.
• Support Board and committee meetings.

Skills

Stakeholder Management

Communication

Organization

Detail-oriented

Self-motivated

Education

Minimum 2.1 in Law

Minimum 2.1 in Accounting

Minimum 2.1 in Business

Minimum 2.1 in Business Management

Job description

Join to apply for the Company Secretary Trainee Programme role at Flex Legal.

We are delighted to be recruiting our second cohort of Company Secretary trainees after 8 successful cohorts of Flex Trainees and Flex Apprentices qualifying as lawyers. Our first Co Sec trainees started in October 2024 at companies including The Crown Estate and Diageo.

We seek academically strong candidates from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds who are open to qualifying as a Company Secretary through the in-house route. We are recruiting for our Autumn Cohort - starting October 2025. You will be employed by Flex for 24 months and seconded to an in-house Co-sec team in a corporate company. We have excellent clients eager to support your career development.

Before starting, you will participate in a 3-week Readiness Programme at Flex Legal, after which you will be seconded to our clients for your Co-Sec training. This includes a 3-week soft skills and basic company secretary training course. You will also attend legal sessions shared with SQE trainees and network with your future cohort.

While seconded, you will work 4.5 days a week with half a day off for study. You will study Part One of the Chartered Governance Institute's Qualifying Programme, with tuition arranged by an external provider.

Why become a company secretary?

• Develop skills similar to those of a lawyer—organisation, stakeholder management, communication.
• Company secretary teams are increasingly important due to stricter regulation and compliance, making it a promising career.
• Earn comparable salaries to lawyers with faster career progression.
• Gain early exposure to the Board, assist with AGMs, and write Board minutes, providing insights into the C-suite.
• If you enjoy business law and company operations, this is an excellent career choice.
• Acquire practical, commercial experience from top FTSE100 legal teams.
• Join a cohort of trainees in similar roles across various companies.

About company secretaries

Company Secretary teams ensure corporate governance compliance and advise internally on statutory and regulatory matters. They have access to top management and a broad view of the company’s operations, attending board meetings and engaging with stakeholders across departments. Responsibilities include shareholder relations, ESG strategies, AGM support, and more.

• Manage Board governance, including meetings, materials, and succession planning.
• Oversee governance of subsidiaries, focusing on compliance and filings.

Typical responsibilities

• Assist with statutory filings in the UK and internationally.
• Maintain compliance tools and monitor deadlines.
• Manage corporate signings, notarizations, and documentation.
• Draft corporate documents such as resolutions and notices.
• Support Board and committee meetings, including minute-taking.
• Assist with KYC, audit, and due diligence.
• Collaborate on governance-related projects and liaise with stakeholders.
• Perform administrative tasks like filing and couriers.

Entry requirements

• Graduates with a minimum 2.1 in Law, Accounting, Business, or Business Management.
• Right to work in the UK from the start date; sponsorship is not available.
• Commitment to passing the Governance Institute exams to qualify as a Governance Officer.
• Interest in Corporate Governance and Company Law.
• Self-motivated, highly organized, detail-oriented, and proactive.
• Excellent stakeholder management and team skills.
• Strong execution, focus, and prioritization skills.
• Willingness to grow and develop professionally.

Additional details

• Seniority level: Entry level
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Legal
• Industries: Legal Services, Staffing and Recruiting