How to Become a Company Secretary in the UK
Company secretaries make sure a company is properly governed and meets its legal duties. You organise board and committee meetings, write minutes, keep statutory registers, file confirmation statements and other forms with Companies House, advise directors on their duties under the Companies Act 2006 and, in listed companies, run shareholder meetings and governance reporting.
Most people start as a company secretarial assistant or in a legal, accountancy or administration role, then qualify through the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland while working.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £35,000 - £48,000
- Mid-career salary
- £55,000 - £80,000
- Senior salary
- £90,000 - £150,000
- Work environment
- Office or hybrid
- Time to entry
- 2 - 5 years
- Degree required
- Often required
- Category
- Business, Finance and Legal
Compare pay across careers in the UK salaries by career report. Also in: High-paying careers.
What a Company Secretary does
Make sure a company meets all its legal, regulatory and governance obligations.
- Listed Company Secretary - Run plc board and listing rules compliance.
- Private Company Sec - Company secretarial for PE / large private firms.
- Subsidiary Governance - Manage subsidiary governance across groups.
- Charity / NFP Cosec - Governance for charities and NFPs.
How to become a company secretary in the UK
Private companies no longer have to appoint a company secretary, but public companies must, and the Companies Act 2006 requires a public company secretary to be suitably qualified or experienced, for example as a chartered secretary, solicitor, barrister or member of certain accountancy bodies. The main professional route is the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland's qualifying programme, which leads to chartered status. Many people start as assistants in company secretarial teams, at corporate service providers or in law firms, often with a law, business or accounting degree.
- Apply for company secretarial assistant or governance assistant roles at listed companies, law firms or corporate service providers.
- Learn the routine filings at Companies House, such as confirmation statements, director and PSC changes, share allotments and annual accounts deadlines.
- Study for the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland's qualifying programme alongside work to gain chartered governance status.
- Practise drafting board minutes, resolutions and agendas, as accurate, concise minutes are one of the most tested skills in this job.
- Learn the Companies Act 2006 duties for all roles, and the UK Corporate Governance Code if you want to work for listed companies.
- Keep up with Companies House reforms, including identity verification for directors, which have changed day-to-day company secretarial work.
| Route | How long | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company secretarial assistant, then qualify with CGI | 2-5 years | Varies, often employer-funded | Most company secretaries |
| Solicitor or paralegal moving into governance | 1-3 years | None | Lawyers who enjoy corporate work |
| Accountant moving into company secretarial work | 1-3 years | None | Qualified accountants in smaller firms |
| Law, business or accounting degree, then graduate role | 3 years plus training | Tuition fee loan | School leavers aiming for governance careers |
How long it takes
Expect 2 to 5 years from your first company secretarial assistant role to working as a qualified company secretary, depending on how quickly you complete the Chartered Governance Institute's qualifications.
Company Secretary salary in the UK
Company secretarial assistants moving up and newly qualified company secretaries typically earn around £35,000 to £48,000. Experienced company secretaries usually earn £55,000 to £80,000, and group company secretaries at large or listed companies can earn £90,000 to £150,000. FTSE-listed companies, financial services and London roles pay the most. Charities and smaller private companies pay less, and sometimes combine the role with legal, finance or office management work.
Key skills
- Governance
- Companies Act
- Board comms
- Drafting
- Discretion
Company Secretary FAQs
How do I become a company secretary in the UK?
Start as a company secretarial or governance assistant at a listed company, law firm or corporate service provider, and study for the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland's qualifying programme. Solicitors and accountants can also move across using their existing qualifications.
Do you need qualifications to be a company secretary?
For a private company, no, because private companies do not have to appoint one. A public company secretary must be suitably qualified or experienced under the Companies Act 2006, for example as a chartered secretary, solicitor, barrister or qualified accountant. Most employers expect CGI qualifications.
How much does a company secretary earn in the UK?
Assistants and newly qualified company secretaries typically earn £35,000 to £48,000, experienced company secretaries £55,000 to £80,000, and group company secretaries at large or listed companies £90,000 to £150,000.
Is a company secretary the same as a secretary or PA?
No. Despite the name, a company secretary is a senior governance professional who advises the board and is responsible for legal compliance and statutory filings. It is much closer to a legal or governance role than an administrative one.
Is Company Secretary right for you?
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