HRD and company secretary?

Thank you Elizabeth. I am doing some research. As you say it'll be a complete change to career and I need to really give it some thought.

Thank you Elizabeth. I am doing some research. As you say it'll be a complete change to career and I need to really give it some thought.

Hi Meena - having some ICSA knowledge (as opposed to qualifications) will probably be useful to help understand the legal framework of company law in which a company has to operate. Indeed, not enough HR people have a good iunderstanding of this IMHO. However..... most Company Secretaries are qualified lawyers (degree plus 2-3 years of professional exams and experience in a law firm), so think hard before going down that rabbit-hole in terms of a career.

Hi Meena,
I am training as company secretary since 2018 with a large Plc and have actually decided to start a new career in HR, just starting my CIPD level 3 with ICS this week.
To become a Company Secretary is a lengthy journey and without a legal qualification you have to complete a foundation year and then join the secretaries qualifying scheme with the Corporate Governance Institute (formerly ICSA). You will have to complete 8 closed book exams of 3 hours each. It takes most people over 4 years to complete, 1 module per semester with about 20 hours recommended study a week.
The Kensington College of Business is one of the training providers and can give you a bit more advice on the studies.
A Plc has the usual structure of Trainee Company Secretary, Company Secretarial Assistant, Assistant Company Secretary, Senior Assistant Company Secretary, Head of Plc, Deputy Company Secretary and then Company Secretary. Most Company Secretaries are Solicitors and Chartered Secretaries.
It’s definitely a good career if you are interested in Corporate Governance, Law and like to work with regulatory demands.