For much of its history, the Company Secretary role has been defined by technical excellence, procedural rigour and regulatory compliance: ensuring the smooth functioning of the board, maintaining statutory records and acting as the guardian of governance standards.
Today, however, the role of the Company Secretary is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Increasing regulatory complexity, heightened stakeholder scrutiny and rising expectations of boards have combined to push the function far beyond its traditional remit. In many organisations, the Company Secretary is now one of the most influential – and trusted – advisers in the boardroom.
A changing Governance landscape
Boards are operating in an environment that is more complex and unforgiving than ever before. Regulatory regimes are expanding in scope, ESG expectations are intensifying, and geopolitical and technological risks are increasingly intersecting with governance obligations. At the same time, boards are under pressure to move faster, make better-informed decisions and demonstrate accountability to a wider group of stakeholders.
In this context, the Company Secretary has become a critical stabilising force. No longer focused solely on compliance, today’s Company Secretary is expected to interpret regulation, anticipate governance risks and help boards navigate ambiguity. The role now sits at the intersection of law, regulation, strategy and board dynamics.
From Administrator to Adviser
One of the most notable shifts in the Company Secretary role is the move from administrator to adviser. While technical competence remains essential, boards increasingly rely on Company Secretaries for judgement, context and perspective.
This advisory dimension manifests in several ways. Company Secretaries are often central to shaping board agendas, ensuring that discussions focus on the right issues at the right time. They play a key role in advising chairs on board composition, succession planning and effectiveness, and in supporting non-executive directors as they navigate their responsibilities.
In many organisations, the Company Secretary also acts as a sounding board for senior executives, providing independent advice on governance, disclosure and board engagement. This trusted-adviser status is built not only on expertise, but on credibility, discretion and a deep understanding of the organisation and its culture.
The expanding ESG and disclosure remit
ESG has been a major catalyst in the evolution of the Company Secretary role. As ESG considerations have moved from the periphery to the core of corporate governance, responsibility for oversight, coordination and disclosure has often fallen to the Company Secretary.
This includes supporting boards on ESG governance structures, ensuring clarity around accountability, and helping align reporting with regulatory and investor expectations. In many cases, the Company Secretary plays a central role in managing the flow of information between sustainability teams, legal, risk, finance and the board.
As disclosure regimes become more demanding and scrutiny intensifies, Company Secretaries are increasingly required to exercise judgement on what should be disclosed, when and how. This has elevated the role’s strategic importance – and its exposure.
Technology, data and the modern secretariat
Technology is also reshaping the Company Secretary function. Board portals, digital governance tools and data-driven reporting have improved efficiency, but they have also raised expectations.
Boards now expect better-quality information, clearer insights and more sophisticated use of data. Company Secretaries are often responsible for ensuring that board materials are not only accurate and compliant, but also relevant, concise and decision-ready.
As a result, data literacy and comfort with technology are becoming increasingly important skills. The modern Company Secretary must be able to work effectively with digital tools, understand information risk and support boards in an environment where cyber, data and AI-related governance issues are firmly on the agenda.
Skills and capabilities for the future
The evolution of the role has significant implications for talent. While deep governance and regulatory expertise remains non-negotiable, it is no longer sufficient on its own.
Organisations are increasingly seeking Company Secretaries who combine:
- Strong technical foundations with commercial and strategic acumen
- The confidence to advise and challenge senior stakeholders
- Excellent communication and influencing skills
- The ability to operate across functions and manage complexity
This combination is rare – and increasingly in demand. As a result, many organisations are facing challenges in both hiring and retaining senior Company Secretaries with the breadth of capability required.
A critical role in Board effectiveness
Ultimately, the rise of the Company Secretary reflects a broader truth: effective governance depends on more than rules and processes. It requires judgement, context and trusted advice.
In an era of heightened scrutiny and accelerating change, the Company Secretary has become central to board effectiveness. Those who are empowered to operate as strategic partners – rather than confined to procedural roles – can add significant value, helping boards make better decisions and navigate risk with confidence.
For organisations, this means re-thinking how the role is defined, supported and rewarded. For Company Secretaries themselves, it presents an opportunity to shape the future of governance from the heart of the boardroom.
If you are a Company Secretary looking for your next career move, or you are hiring for a Company Secretary role now or in the future, please reach out to Phil Redhead to see how Leonid can help you.
