09/12/2025

Kim Bower (Business Manager, Middle Office Asset Management & Legal) and Rachael O'Neill (Director, Investment Operations and Accounting & Finance) explain how the role of Company Secretary has evolved, what makes the position critical to success, and why demand for the role is surging.

A Core-Asset Consulting Insight

Over the last 15 years at Core-Asset Consulting, we have seen the role of the Company Secretary change profoundly. What was once seen as a statutory governance function has become a strategic anchor — a lynchpin connecting boards, leadership teams, legal specialists and every part of a business.

Today, the Company Secretary sits at the heart of organisational communication, culture, risk oversight and board effectiveness. And with that evolution has come a surge in demand — and far greater scrutiny in hiring.

Boards now understand that the Company Secretary is not a “governance administrator.” They are one of the most critical appointments for business success.

Why the Role Is Changing

Modern Company Secretaries are expected to:

  • Navigate evolving regulation, including ECCTA and accelerating transparency reforms
  • Guide boards on ESG, culture, digitisation and stakeholder expectations
  • Manage complex personalities and maintain effective communication across the organisation
  • Support strategic decision-making, not just statutory compliance
  • Balance emerging AI tools with the need for nuance, judgment and discretion

It is no longer enough to have technical expertise alone. The role requires credibility, diplomacy, commercial awareness, emotional intelligence and strategic influence — a rare combination

Regulatory Change Is Raising the Stakes

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA) is driving the most significant shift in governance responsibilities in over a decade.

Under ECCTA:

  • Companies House gains enhanced powers to query, reject or remove filings
  • Civil penalties replace some criminal sanctions for inaccurate filings
  • Mandatory identity verification (IDV) for directors begins 18 November 2025, with additional IDV requirements to follow
  • Certain internal registers will be abolished — reducing administrative load, but increasing responsibility for accuracy
  • Scrutiny over transparency, shareholder information and corporate reporting intensifies


For Company Secretaries, this means greater accountability, higher expectations and increased organisational visibility.

Boards cannot afford to get this hire wrong.

What Organisations Are Struggling With

Across financial and professional services, we hear the same challenges:

  • “We know exactly who we need — but we can’t reach them.”
  • “Generalist recruiters send CVs, not governance specialists.”
  • “Fit matters more than capability.”
  • “We need someone who can influence up, across and sideways.”

The challenge isn’t finding a Company Secretary. It’s finding the right one — someone aligned to the personalities, pace and expectations of the board.

This misalignment is costly. Beyond compliance breaches, the wrong hire can cause:

  • Administrative drift
  • Communication breakdown
  • Inefficiency across teams
  • Board friction

This is why more organisations are turning to Core-Asset Consulting.

How Core-Asset Approaches Company Secretary Recruitment

Company Secretarial recruitment at Core-Asset is led by two of our most senior specialists:

  • Kim Bower — Business Manager, Legal, Governance and Middle Office
  • Rachael O’Neill — Director, Accounting and Finance and Investment Operations


Together they bring more than 30 years of specialist governance recruitment experience, deep sector knowledge and senior-level oversight.

A Dual-Specialist Model That Delivers Better Results

One of the strongest differentiators in Core-Asset’s success is our combined search model. Every Company Secretary mandate is co-led by both Kim and Rachael — bringing together:

  • Kim’s depth in Legal, Governance and Middle Office, and
  • Rachael’s extensive reach in Accounting, Finance and Investment Operations

This dual-specialist approach is unique in the market and has become one of our most reliable success metrics.

Because Company Secretaries often originate from either legal or finance pathways, our model delivers:

  • A broader, higher-quality longlist
  • More accurate assessment of governance, technical and interpersonal skills
  • Faster delivery due to two networks working in parallel
  • Stronger cultural alignment through complementary evaluation styles

The result?

Faster placements. Better matches. Higher retention.

This is a key reason why leading organisations trust Core-Asset with governance-critical hires.

1. Partnership and Continuity

Kim and Rachael act as an extension of each client’s internal HR and hiring function, ensuring:

  • Consistent employer brand messaging
  • A seamless candidate experience
  • Deep organisational understanding

Many partnerships exceed ten years, giving them unparalleled insight into cultural expectations and board dynamics.

2. Agility and Speed

With two senior specialists jointly driving delivery, our speed becomes a genuine differentiator. Our average time to CV submission is 3-5 days.

Two networks. Two disciplines. One coordinated search.

That’s why our time-to-hire outperforms the market.

3. Breadth and Specialism

Their combined reach covers:

  • Legal
  • Governance
  • Middle Office
  • Accounting & Finance
  • Broader operational and regulatory functions

This gives clients a single point of access to the full spectrum of Company Secretary talent across the UK and Europe.

As Rachael explains:

“HR departments know the kind of person they need for a Company Secretary role — but often lack direct access to the talent. Generalist recruiters have candidates, but limited understanding of board culture. Our dual approach bridges that gap.”

Rachael O'Neill Director, Investment Operations and Accounting & Finance

Why Cultural Fit Matters Most

Governance roles are inherently people-first. A strong Company Secretary must:

  • Build trust quickly with interns through to NEDs
  • Read personalities and board dynamics
  • Maintain pace in complex environments
  • Handle sensitive issues with diplomacy

Kim and Rachael’s instinct for cultural fit — developed through years of long-term client relationships — is one of Core-Asset’s greatest strengths.

Outcomes Across the Sector

We have delivered Company Secretary appointments across:

  • Edinburgh
  • Glasgow
  • Newcastle
  • Luxembourg
  • Dublin

Across sectors including:

  • Wealth management
  • Private equity
  • Global asset management
  • Professional bodies
  • Local authority pension schemes
  • Investment trusts

What’s Next for the Company Secretary Role?

AI: A Useful Assistant — Not a Replacement

While tools like Copilot are being trialled, many organisations remain cautious due to:

  • Loss of nuance
  • Confidentiality concerns
  • Disruption of open debate
  • Risk of misinterpretation

AI may reduce administrative load, but it cannot replace human judgment.

ECCTA: Increased Responsibility and Visibility

As reforms come into force through 2025–2026, Company Secretaries will see:

  • Reduced register maintenance
  • Greater responsibility for accuracy and integrity of filings
  • Mandatory IDV management
  • Increased scrutiny and accountability

Demand for experienced governance professionals will continue to rise sharply.

If You’re Considering a Company Secretary Hire…


Whether driven by:

  • Growth
  • Succession planning
  • Restructuring
  • Governance enhancement
  • ECCTA readiness

…securing the right Company Secretary has never mattered more.

Kim and Rachael would be delighted to share insights or discuss upcoming needs: