Legal Counsel & Assistant Company Secretary

Mulberry England; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A British lifestyle brand located in Greater London is seeking a qualified Legal Counsel & Assistant Company Secretary. This full-time role involves managing commercial agreements, advising on regulatory compliance, and ensuring corporate governance. The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years of experience and expertise in drafting and negotiating contracts. Join us to make a significant impact as we embody sustainability and inclusivity in our operations.

Qualifications

• Proven expertise in drafting and negotiating commercial contracts.
• Strong understanding of UK corporate law and governance frameworks.
• Regulatory compliance knowledge including Companies Act and AIM Rules.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements.
• Advise on contract risks and obligations.
• Ensure compliance with AIM Rules and Companies Act.

Skills

Drafting and negotiating commercial contracts

Corporate governance and board support

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder engagement skills

Understanding of UK corporate law

Education

Qualified solicitor (England & Wales)

Minimum 5 years’ post-qualification experience

Tools

Board portal software (e.g., Diligent, Board Intelligence)

Job description

Legal Counsel & Assistant Company Secretary

Kensington Office, London. Legal / Permanent Full-Time / Hybrid

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.

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, 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. Encourage the incorporation of environmentally and socially responsible practices into your work 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.
• Corporate governance and board support.
• 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.