Company Secretary/Deputy Company Secretary

Job purpose

The role plays an integral part in promoting high standards of corporate governance throughout the Development Bank of Wales Group and ensuring good information flows between the Directors of the Development Bank of Wales plc, its Committees, and the Senior Management Team. 

With an increased focus on corporate governance in recent times the role calls for an individual with a thorough knowledge of the business environment in which the Development Bank of Wales Group operates as well as the laws, rules and regulations that govern its existing as well as proposed activities.   

The post holder must be able to perform effectively at Board, Board sub-committee and Investment Committee level.

The post holder will need to have sufficient breadth and depth of experience to operate independently and the emotional intelligence to handle challenging and highly confidential issues with professionalism and sensitivity.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Responsible for the smooth operation of Development Bank’s formal decision-making and reporting processes.
• Promoting an environment where corporate governance and compliance are recognised as being key to the proper functioning of the Development Bank of Wales Group’s activities and initiating changes to improve relevant policies and procedures as they arise. 
• Play a key role in the production of the annual report, including drafting and proof reading.
• Recommending variations to the legal documentation as part of the fund management contract development process.   
• Instructing legal advisors on regulatory matters and as required engage other specialist advisors on behalf of the Directors.
• Attendance at and drafting papers, agendas, and minutes slides for Board, Committee Meetings and Investment Committee. 
• Ensuring that all entities within the Development Bank of Wales Group operate within their scope of permissions or operate under appropriate exemptions in accordance with the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.
• Drafting and updating terms of reference, policies and other governance documents as required.
• Liaising with the Development Bank Group Partnership Team at Welsh Government on matters requiring shareholder approval or collaboration, including review and maintenance of the Development Bank of Wales/Welsh Government Framework Document.
• Provide specialist technical advice to Executive and Non-Executive Directors with respect to their duties and responsibilities under the Companies Acts, UK Corporate Governance Code requirements and other relevant legislation applicable to the Development Bank of Wales Group.
• Incorporating new Development Bank of Wales Group companies as and when required and attending to all Companies House filings.
• Maintaining Development Bank’s Legal Entity Identifier registrations.
• Any other task as may be required to meet the operational needs of the Development Bank of Wales Group.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Experience

Essential

• Knowledge of company law, statutory and regulatory requirements relating to the financial services sector.
• Detailed understanding of corporate governance requirements and the operation of state owned enterprises/ arms-length public bodies, fund management structures including special purpose vehicles and limited partnership.
• Professionally qualified in accordance with the requirements for a public limited company as set out s273 of the Companies Act 2006.
• Technically astute with strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to collaborate with others and the gravitas to influence at Board level. 
• Pro-active multi-tasker with a positive can do attitude.
• Confident, robust, independent and willing to challenge and be challenged.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to take in and process large amounts of information.
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to prioritise workload.
• Strong communication skills and ability to deal effectively/diplomatically with a wide range of people at all levels both internally and externally.
• Excellent written communication skills with the ability to accurately and concisely record and convey complex issues.
• Self-motivated with a flexible work attitude.
• Innovative thinker.
• Team player.

Desirable

• A good understanding of the Development Bank of Wales Group, its aims, objectives and products.
• Experience in a Financial/Legal/Compliance based environment.
• Knowledge of the Financial Conduct Authority Handbook, in particular FUND, SYSC, SUP, CASS and CON sections.
• Knowledge of the Consumer Credit Act, Alternative Investments Fund Managers Directive and Mortgage Credit Directive.
• Knowledge of current compliance issues in the UK financial services sector.
• Knowledge of the UK Subsidy Control Regime.
• Law, accounting or business-related professional qualification.
• IT/PC literate.
• Ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh.
• Full Driving Licence.

Apply

To apply for this role, please go to our recruitment page