Company Secretary

This individual is accountable for all company secretarial duties for Guardrisk Group.

This individual must ensure that all legal entities comply with legal statutory and governance requirements and also contribute towards optimisation and continuous improvement of the department. This individual will also be responsible for corporate legal matters and overall governance requirements including communication training and reporting.

Assume full end to end Company Secretary function within Guardrisk partnering with executive leadership (EXCO Members):

• Collate information for various Boards Forums and Committee packs including all Exco meetings in the Corporate & Public Sector segment and other operational structures)
• Draft agendas in consultation with Chairperson/s and liaise with Directors / Committee members
• Provide input into Board / Committee meeting agendas and meeting packs to ensure compliance with statutory and corporate governance prerequisites
• Prepare board packs and distribute to members and invitees
• Attend meetings and take accurate and professional minutes
• Draft minutes for vetting by Chairperson
• Assist Chairperson with drafting reports to certain Committees e.g. Group Board EXCO
• Draft and execute board of directors/shareholders/ Committee resolutions
• Check and maintain all company secretarial records inhouse (manual and electronic) and with CIPC
• Ensure that all companies comply with the Companies Act governance principles various applicable legislation

Corporate Litigation function:

• Instruct attorneys on a variety of litigious matters
• Keep track of all corporate legal matters with attorneys whether litigious or not
• Attending meetings with attorneys and counsel and reporting back to relevant committees
• Ensuring attorneys fees are paid
• Provide internal legal opinions
• Drafting and reviewing of all financial services agreements

Governance:

• Assisting in commenting on draft regulatory changes
• Reporting on regulatory changes to relevant committees
• Represent the company at industry bodies workshops/meetings
• Provide input on various policies

General:

• Assist with internal training and education as required
• Preparing relevant committee reports
• General governance company secretarial and legal advice
• Keeping abreast with legal and regulatory changes

Professional responsibilities:

• Provide advice and guidance on the Companies Act King IV and related legislation
• Ensure corporate governance best practices are adopted by the company
• Draft Charters Terms of Reference policy documents on governance and legal matters
• Engage with statutory and professional stakeholders as required e.g. FSCA PA CIPC

Client Services:

• Provide authoritative expertise and advice to business clients and stakeholders
• Build and maintain relationships with business clients and internal and external stakeholders
• Deliver on service level agreements made with clients and internal and external stakeholders in order to ensure that client expectations are managed
• Make recommendations to improve client service and fair treatment of clients within area of responsibility
• Participate and contribute to a culture which builds rewarding relationships facilitates feedback and provides exceptional client service

People:

• Develop and maintain productive and collaborative working relationships with peers clients and stakeholders
• Positively influence and participate in change initiatives
• Continuously develop own expertise in terms of professional industry and legislation knowledge
• Contribute to continuous innovation through the development sharing and implementation of new ideas
• Take ownership for driving career development
• Effectively manage time and ensure optimal productivity
• Ensure technical product and legislative knowledge is always current in order to propose the most relevant and innovative client solutions and comply with governance requirements
• Be selfconfident selfmotivated and relentlessly pursue targets and goals.

Finance:

• Control and check expense claims for authorisation
• Prepare and check invoices and arrange for payments
• Identify solutions to enhance cost effectiveness and increase operational efficiency
• Manage financial and other company resources under your control with due respect
• Provide input into the risk identification processes and communicate recommendations in the appropriate forum.

• Sound knowledge and understanding of corporate law and corporate governance
• A CIS qualification and law degree
• At least 35 years experience as a Company Secretary
• At least 35 years as a legal adviser

• Business Acumen
• Client/ Stakeholder Commitment
• Drive for Results
• Leads Change and Innovation
• Collaboration
• Impact and Influence
• SelfAwareness and Insight
• Diversity and Inclusiveness