Chartered Secretaries are senior professionals trained in law, finance, governance and strategy. They principally work as company secretaries or in other similar roles. They are obliged to uphold the highest standards of governance practice and ethical behaviour.

Highly valued by employers, Chartered Secretaries are the primary source of advice on governance to their board. Broadly, this can span everything from legal and accounting advice, to the development of strategy and corporate planning.

The United Kingdom

Companies Act

In accordance with section 273  - UK Companies Act 2006, a member of the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland (formerly known as the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators ) can act as a secretary of a public company.

Financial Conduct Authority

In accordance with TC Appendix 4.1 of the FCA Handbook, a Fellow or Associate of the Chartered Governance Institute is recognized by the FCA as holding an appropriate qualification for Non-RDR Activities (overseeing activity):

Activity 15 as per key 4 - Overseeing on a day to day basis operating a collectove investment scheme or undertaking activities of a trustee or depositary of a collective investment scheme.

Activity 16 as per key 4 - Overseeing on a day to day basis safeguarding and administering investments or holding client money.

Activity 17 as per key 4 - Overseeing on a day to day basis administrative functions in relation to managing investments:

(i) arranging settlement;

(ii) monitoring and processing corporate actions;

(iii) client account administration, liaison and reporting including valuation and performance measurement;

(iv) ISA or CTF administration;

(v) investment trust savings scheme administration.

Activity 18 as per key 4- Overseeing on a day to day basis administrative functions in relation to managing investments:

(i) arranging settlement;

(ii) monitoring and processing corporate actions;

(iii) client account administration, liaison and reporting including valuation and performance measurement;

(iv) ISA or CTF administration;

(v) investment trust savings scheme administration.

Activity 19 as per key 4 - Overseeing on a day to day basis administrative functions in relation to the operation of stakeholder pension schemes:

(i) new business administration;

(ii) receipt of or alteration to contributions;

(iii) preparing projections and annual statements;

(iv) administration of transfers;

(v) handling claims, including pension payments;

(vi) fund allocation and switching.

Republic or Ireland

Companies Act

In accordance with section 1112 - Irish Companies Act 2014, a member of the the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland (formerly known as the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators ) can act as a secretary of a public company.

Hong Kong

HKEX Main Board Listing Rules

In accodance with Chapter 5, section 5.14 - HKEX Listing Rules and Guidance, a member of The Hong Kong Chartered Governance Institue can act as a company secretary of an issuer.