Senior Assistant Company Secretary 12 Month FTC

Were 1st Central a market-leading insurance company utilising smart data and technology at pace. Rapid growth has been based on giving our 1.4 million customers exactly what they want: great value insurance with an excellent service. And thats the same for our colleagues too; we won Insurance Employer of the Year at the British Insurance Awards 2024 and our Glassdoor score is pretty mega too!

If youre motivated by leading governance activity managing senior stakeholders and keeping critical processes running seamlessly this could be your next step.

Were looking for a Senior Assistant Company Secretary to join us on a 12-month fixed term contract based in either Haywards Heath West Sussex or Salford Quays Manchester.

Youll work closely with the Group Company Secretary to help shape and support highquality governance across the organisation. From strengthening our Board and regulatory processes youll be right at the heart of ensuring we operate with clarity confidence and compliance.

Core skills were looking for to succeed in the role:

• Listed / preIPO governance experience experience in listed or latestage preIPO environments with solid knowledge of listing rules disclosure and governance requirements.

• Annual report & AGM delivery proven ability to lead annual report production and coordinate AGMs across complex timelines and stakeholders.

• Board & stakeholder management able to support senior governance processes coordinate papers take minutes and work confidently with directors and advisers.

• Judgement & organisation highly organised detailfocused and calm under pressure with strong judgement and the ability to manage tight deadlines.

Whats Involved:

• As a senior member of the team youll support the Group Company Secretary in leading the team and in all relevant duties and activities across the First Central Group including ensuring the Groups legal entities adhere to all relevant Corporate Governance and Company Law requirements

• Youll support the Group Company Secretary in creating and delivering the Board induction and ongoing development programmes for directors

• Youll assist the Group Company Secretary in the delivery of the annual Board and Committee effectiveness reviews

• Youll coordinate the planning and delivery of the Annual General Meeting and any extraordinary general meetings

• Youll oversee the administration of the Groups share schemes and equity awards

• Youll act as project lead for the end-to-end production of the annual report including statutory financial and governance sections; including developing and managing the annual report timetable coordinating inputs from Finance Risk Legal Investor Relations HR and external advisers

• Youll support the Group Company Secretary in delivering IPO readiness workstreams including:

  • Establishment of plc-level governance frameworks and policies

  • Board and committee structures terms of reference and calendars

  • Director appointment processes induction and training

• Youll provide CoSec contributions to any corporate restructuring capital actions and M&A activities

• Youll lead on the renewal of the Groups corporate insurance cover for employees equipment and premises and manage with support from the team any claims that may arise

• Youll take a lead role on the organisation and management of all Group Board and Executive meetings as well as other forums as required including:

  • Organising preparing agendas for and taking high quality minutes of all relevant Board and Executive meetings and annual general meetings (AGMs)

  • Reviewing Board and Executive meeting submissions and information providing timely feedback to stakeholders to improve the quality of Board reporting

  • Lead and support the team in scheduling and coordinating the annual Board and Executive meeting calendars and wider logistics

• Youll monitor developments in listing rules insurance regulation and governance codes advising on impact and support the embedding of the UK Corporate Governance Code and regulatory compliance across the Group.

• Youll oversee the teams ongoing maintenance of statutory registers corporate records and regulatory filings

• Youll work with the Group Company Secretary on strategic governance projects and on continuous improvement activities within the CoSec team as agreed from time to time

• Youll provide expert advice to the business on all relevant governance and company law matters

• Youll mentor junior team members

Experience & Knowledge:

• Chartered Company Secretary qualification (ICSA / CGI) or equivalent

• Strong experience in a listed company or late-stage pre-IPO environment

• Proven track record coordinating annual reports and AGMs

• Sound understanding of:

  • Listing rules and market disclosure requirements

  • Corporate governance codes

  • Regulated financial services or insurance environments

• Excellent project management and stakeholder-management skills

• High attention to detail and ability to manage competing deadlines

• Background in insurance banking or broader financial services (desirable)

Behaviours:

• Able to proactively support the development of the team creating a safe environment where constructive feedback is encouraged and provided with sensitivity

• Leads by example setting high standards for their own work as well as the work of others

• Able to handle information in a confidential manner

• Keen to embrace embed and incorporate the Company Values

• Diplomatic personable and pragmatic

• Self-motivated and enthusiastic

• An organised and proactive approach

• Able to work on own initiative and as part of a team

• A flexible approach and positive attitude

• Strives to drive business improvements to contribute to the success of the business

What can we do for you

People first. Always. Were passionate about our colleagues and know the best people deserve an extraordinary working environment. We owe it to them so thats what we offer. Our workplaces are energetic inspirational supportive. To get a taste of the advantages youll enjoy take a look at all our perks in full here.

Intrigued Our Talent team can tell you everything you need to know about what we want and what were offering so feel free to get in touch.