Assistant Company Secretary (9-month FTC)

Role Summary And Department Overview:

To provide Company Secretarial services to Peel Hunt Limited (an AIM-listed company incorporated in Guernsey) and its group companies, including Peel Hunt LLP (an FCA regulated entity).

Role Responsibilities:

Board Support

• Assisting the Company Secretary (COO) and the Head of Governance in the organisation of, and preparation for, board and committee meetings. This includes:

• organising the schedule of meetings for the various governance meetings and board training sessions each year;
• drafting and agreeing agendas;
• liaising with individuals responsible for producing papers; and
• preparing and publishing board/committee packs via Board Intelligence.

• Prepare papers for board/committee meetings as and when required (e.g. on governance matters).
• Minuting various meetings, and record, follow up and monitor actions.
• Logistical and administrative support for non-executive directors.
• Organising the board training schedule and assisting with the induction of new board members.
• Assisting with the oversight of corporate governance policies (e.g. board committee terms of reference), ensuring they are kept up to date.
• Supporting the annual effectiveness review process, including drafting questionnaires and analysing the results.
• Other administrative support for the Peel Hunt’s boards and committees.

AGM and Annual Report and Accounts

• Support the annual general meeting process, working closely with the registrars.
• Supporting the production of the annual report and notice of AGM.

Stock Exchange/Listed Company Matters

• RNS & FCA – assisting with the issue of standard Stock Exchange announcements, e.g. directors' dealings, major shareholder holdings, block listing, directorate changes, and notifications to the FCA.
• Maintenance of insider lists.
• Assist with share dealing requests.
• Supporting the management of Peel Hunt Limited’s share registrar and share plan administrator.

Statutory Compliance Work for UK Subsidiaries

• Maintaining statutory books and registers, and managing other key governance processes (e.g. directors' share interests, the insider dealing list etc.).
• Preparing and filing all Companies House forms including change in officers, change in share capital, filing of all the annual accounts and the confirmation statements for all UK subsidiary companies.
• Supporting the Company Secretary and Head of Governance on ad hoc projects, including changes to subsidiary company articles, corporate governance and statutory audits, group re-organisations, purchases of own shares, etc.

Share Schemes

• Assisting with the administration of share incentive schemes.
• Assisting with the payment of dividends.

Other Duties

• Assist with maintaining the governance section of the Peel Hunt website.
• Draft procedural notes for company secretarial tasks on an ongoing basis.
• Assist with providing updates on new areas of governance and company law.
• Have an understanding of the regulatory environment, and values and abilities consistent with the FCA conduct rules.

Key Capabilities And Knowledge:

• Strong academic record from GCSEs through to a 2:1 from university.
• Prior experience of working in a UK listed company secretariat is desirable, with demonstrable company secretarial experience (3-4 years).
• CGI / ICSA Qualified or Studying CGI / ICSA qualifications.
• Self-motivated, pro-active and able to manage competing deadlines.
• Flexible attitude, able to cope with unexpected and varied demands.
• Have an understanding of the regulatory environment, and values and abilities consistent with the FCA conduct rules.

Role Competencies:

• Self-starter/proactive
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to work independently
• Effective communicator, able to work with senior executives
• Time management/ability to work to deadlines
• Effective project management and multi-tasking skills
• Minute taking skills
• Analytical and numerical skills
• High level computer literacy, including Excel
• Sound grasp of corporate governance issues