Legal Counsel & Assistant Company Secretary

Mulberry; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading British lifestyle brand in London seeks an experienced Legal and Governance professional. The role combines generalist legal responsibilities with Company Secretary duties, providing legal support and ensuring corporate governance compliance. Candidates should be qualified solicitors with over 5 years of experience in legal or governance roles, offering a unique opportunity in a hybrid working environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ post-qualification experience in legal and/or governance roles.
• Experience in commercial contracts and corporate governance.
• Strong understanding of UK corporate law and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements.
• Ensure compliance with regulations and AIM Rules.
• Support corporate governance and board activities.

Skills

Qualified solicitor (England & Wales)

5+ years’ post-qualification experience

Expertise in drafting and negotiating commercial contracts

Expertise in corporate governance

Regulatory compliance knowledge

Interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills

Education

Qualified solicitor

Job description

Born in 1971, the roots of Mulberry are in Somerset, England. For more than fifty years, Mulberry has been a British lifestyle brand, internationally acclaimed for quality and design capturing the Mulberry Spirit.

Sustainability has been part of the Mulberry ethos since the brand's inception, in recognition of our purpose-driven approach, in 2024 we proudly achieved B Corp Certification.

Today, we are a global brand, but our values remain the same; we are committed to improving our impact on people and the planet. If these are values you share, we would love you to join our team.

As a versatile and experienced Legal and Governance professional you will be part of our Legal, Compliance & Co Sec team. This hybrid role combines generalist legal responsibilities with Assistant Company Secretary duties, offering a unique opportunity to contribute across commercial legal, compliance, and governance domains. You will provide pragmatic legal support to business functions while ensuring robust corporate governance and regulatory compliance across the Group.

This role is based in London, with occasional travel to Somerset as required.

Duties & Responsibilities

Generalist Legal Counsel

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements (supplier, distribution, licensing, marketing).
• Advise on contract risks, obligations, and dispute resolution strategies.
• Provide legal guidance on advertising, T&Cs, consumer protection, GDPR, IP protection, and employment matters.
• Identify and mitigate legal risks across business operations.
• Support strategic initiatives including corporate structuring, M&A, and fundraising.
• Conduct legal research and deliver clear, actionable advice to stakeholders.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to embed legal best practices.

Company Secretarial & Governance

• Ensure compliance with AIM Rules, QCA Code, Jersey Law, Companies Act, and other international regulations.
• Provide Company Secretarial services to the PLC Board and Committees: manage meeting logistics, prepare board packs, draft agendas, and take accurate minutes.
• Maintain statutory registers and oversee company filings with support from the Legal Assistant.
• Manage executive shareholding requirements, annual board evaluations, and onboarding/training for new directors.
• Coordinate and publish the Group’s Annual Report, including Directors’ Remuneration Report.
• Organise AGMs and GMs, ensuring statutory compliance and shareholder engagement.
• Advise on executive reward strategies and oversee employee equity and bonus plans.
• Manage insider lists and ensure compliance with UK MAR.
• Deliver training and communication programmes to support timely disclosure of inside information.
• Oversee the Group’s insurance programme and collaborate on risk management and internal controls.
• Lead compliance initiatives, including policy reviews (anti-bribery, whistleblowing, market abuse, tax evasion, modern slavery).
• Work with ESG team to integrate sustainability into governance structures and disclosures.

Culture

• Embrace and demonstrate the Mulberry values and behaviours: honesty, dynamism, and a community-oriented spirit.
• Support Mulberry to deliver an inclusive culture, through behaving in a way that is open-minded and respectful towards others, and understanding that your views, opinions, and experiences may not always be shared by your colleagues.
• Act as an ambassador for Mulberry and communicate positively about the brand.

Sustainability

• As a certified B Corp, we are committed to using business as a force for good. You’ll be encouraged to incorporate environmentally and socially responsible practices into your work, supporting our Made to Last strategy across Climate, Circularity, and Community.
• Help foster a culture where diversity is celebrated and every individual feels valued, respected, and included. Champion equity, empathy, and understanding in all interactions – internally and externally.

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Qualified solicitor (England & Wales).
• Minimum 5 years’ post-qualification experience in legal and/or governance roles (listed company experience preferred).
• Proven expertise in drafting and negotiating commercial contracts.
• Proven expertise in corporate governance and board support.
• Proven expertise in regulatory compliance (Companies Act, AIM Rules, UK MAR).
• Strong understanding of UK corporate law, company secretarial practice, risk management, and governance frameworks.
• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills.

Preferred

• Chartered Company Secretary (ICSA or CGI UK).
• Experience in retail or consumer-facing sectors.
• Familiarity with board portal software (e.g., Diligent, Board Intelligence).
• Ability to manage cross-border governance and support international subsidiaries.
• Comfortable delivering training and fostering a culture of integrity and compliance.

Mulberry is an equal opportunities employer and we are passionate about hiring and developing the best talent. All hiring decisions are made only on the basis of qualifications, skills or experience and as they relate to the particular role. If you need us to make any adjustments to our application or interview processes to enable you to be at your best, please email us at [e-mail].