Assistant Company Secretary

Summary

Join AJ Bell as an Assistant Company Secretary and provide high-quality support for the company secretarial function. You will be responsible for the smooth running and administration of the Board and Executive Committee. This role involves supporting the Company Secretary in various tasks, including preparing agendas and minutes, maintaining statutory registers, and ensuring compliance. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in a company secretarial role, ideally with ICSA/CGI qualifications. AJ Bell offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a competitive salary, pension scheme, bonus scheme, and various other perks.

Requirements

• ICSA/CGI Qualified or part qualified
• Significant experience in a company secretarial or governance professional related role (e.g., 5 years+)
• Company secretarial administration, including Board processes and routines
• Strong, detailed minute taking skills and preparing agendas
• Familiar with electronic Board portals
• Good working knowledge of company law and corporate governance related issues
• Excellent communication skills with experience of communicating with a range of internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to work under tight deadlines, self-starter
• Integrity and discretion when handling confidential information

Responsibilities

• Support the day-to-day administration of the Company Secretarial function
• Prepare agendas for the AJ Bell Committees and support the preparation of electronic meeting packs and management information
• Arrange committee meeting dates and prepare annual agendas for the AJ Bell Committees in collaboration with the relevant chairs and the Company Secretary
• Attend AJ Bell Committee meetings, draft detailed minutes capturing points, resolutions and actions
• Monitor and report on the completion of actions arising from committee meetings, including annual effectiveness review actions
• Provide support for the Company Secretary on various matters, including corporate projects, one-off research into key questions/requirements, the induction of new Board and Executive Committee members and provision of Board and Executive Committee training
• Provide support for the HR team in relation to the administration of the AJ Bell group’s share option and incentive schemes
• Provide support for the Compliance and HR teams as required to ensure the AJ Bell group meets its responsibilities under the Senior Managers and Certification Regime
• Maintain statutory registers and records for all AJ Bell plc group entities, and the preparation and filing of all Companies House forms
• Support the provision of advice to AJ Bell Committees on their governance, legal and regulatory obligations
• Support compliance with MAR and listing rules, including the maintenance of AJ Bell plc’s share dealing code and insider lists, and the drafting and issue of standard Stock Exchange announcements
• Support the drafting of the Annual Report and Accounts, other shareholder circulars and accompanying documentation, including the drafting of the Corporate Governance Report in liaison with the Financial Reporting team and others
• Support the production of the Notice of Annual General Meeting (AGM) and all associated documentation, and assist with the organisation of the AGM itself
• Support the maintenance of internal corporate governance policies (e.g. Board sub-committee terms of reference,) and the governance section of the Company’s website

Preferred Qualifications

Financial services and a listed company environment experience advantageous

Benefits

• Starting holiday entitlement of 25 days, increasing up to 31 days with length of service plus a holiday buy and sell scheme
• A choice of pension schemes with matched contributions up to 6%
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• Annual free share awards scheme
• Buy As You Earn (BAYE) Scheme
• Health Cash Plan – provided by SimplyHealth
• Discounted private healthcare scheme and dental plan
• Free on-site gym providing a wide range of free classes
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Bike loan scheme
• Sick pay+ pledge
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave
• Discounted nursery fees at Kids Planet on Exchange Quay
• Loans for travel season tickets
• Death in service scheme
• Paid time off for volunteer work
• Charitable giving opportunities through salary sacrifice
• Calendar of social events, including monthly payday drinks, annual Christmas party, summer party and much more
• Parking at Exchange Quay (Subject to availability)
• Personal development programmes built around you and your career goals, including access to personal skills workshops
• Ongoing technical training
• Professional qualification support
• Talent development programmes
• Peer recognition scheme, with rewards including restaurant and shopping vouchers or time off
• Monthly leadership breakfasts and lunches
• Casual dress code
• Access to a range of benefits from our sponsorship deals
• Hybrid working