Role of the Company Secretary

If you accept appointment as a company secretary, you will become an officer of the company, sharing legal responsibilities with the directors for certain tasks required by the Companies Act. It is in everyone's interest to ensure that you are the right person for the job, and that you get adequate support in doing it.

Since 6 April 2008, it has not been obligatory for a private company to appoint a company secretary, although most companies continue to do so. The company secretary is often also appointed as a director, but does not have to be.

This briefing looks at the role of the company secretary and covers:

• What qualifications you need, and who can appoint you.
• What your duties are, and when they have to be exercised.
• How to make the most of your role.
• What can go wrong, and what the consequences will be.