People join the world of governance from many different backgrounds. Some change careers while working in related areas like law and finance. Others are given a governance brief as part of an existing role.
And there are those who choose a career in governance from the outset because it offers a rich, varied and rewarding experience.
However you discovered the governance profession – welcome. You’re embarking on a fascinating, diverse career path with opportunities for you to make a genuine impact at every level.
Kyle Burke ACG
Legal Analyst, Tata Consultancy Services
“As a governance professional, no two days are ever the same. Each day presents an opportunity to test your skills, tackle the unfamiliar and continually learn something new.”
What do governance professionals do?
As a governance professional, you’re a trusted advisor to the most senior people in an organisation. You play a unique role and are often at the centre of important events. You're the organisational memory, ensuring compliance, maintaining ethical considerations, and coming up with solutions.
A relationship builder, you work closely with the board of directors (or charity trustees in the charity sector or governors in an educational setting) and the executive team, advising them and supporting with issues that affect the organisation both now and in the future.
You’ll find yourself working on diverse issues, from legal and regulatory changes to reporting – whether that’s financial, strategic or environmental – stakeholder engagement, diversity, organisational culture, recruitment and succession planning.
Rebecca Waite ACG
Senior Assistant Company Secretary, Deliveroo plc
“What all governance professionals have in common is that it is all about ‘doing the right thing’, even when faced with challenges. It is being a partner to the business to support in the long-term strategic goals, but also acting as an independent advisor to the board, stakeholders and our peers. It is as much about being a relationship builder as it is about being technically sound.”
Governance roles
The governance professional
In large and medium-size organisations, governance is often led and supported by governance professionals who are trained experts in governance principles and practice and skilled at working with others.
Smaller organisations must also meet governance requirements with fewer resources. To do this, some choose to add the governance responsibilities to another role, such as finance, operations or HR, with appropriate training and support.
The company secretary
Public companies are required by law to have a company secretary to shape and support governance. Company secretaries also work in charity, public and not-for-profit organisations as well as in the corporate sector. A company secretary may have several governance specialists working for them in a team that’s called the secretariat or governance team.
Company secretaries are also called chief governance officer, head of governance, or governance manager.
In the public sector, local authorities, schools and colleges are required to employ a governance professional in the role of clerk to support their boards.
What makes a good governance professional?
“Honesty, lateral thinking, being persuasive.”
Stephen Gilbert FCG, Chair of Trustees for WCCSA Charitable Trust
“As the governance professional is a trusted advisor to some of the most senior individuals within a business, the ability to form those relationships (and keep them) is absolutely critical.”
Grace Parsons-Hann ACG, Head of Governance at KPMG UK
“The best governance professionals are able to go beyond simply stating the rules or best practice and provide practical suggestions and solutions to the many challenges faced by businesses today.”
Tobias Latham FCG, Director at Elemental CoSec
“Being human! You have to be approachable and have the skills to build relationships and create a safe space for people to bring their views around governance and compliance. You can’t do it alone.”
Lauren Osman CG (Affiliated), Transformation & Compliance Manager at Avenues Group
What can governance professionals earn?
Like many jobs, salaries for governance professionals vary depending on location, sector and the kind of organisation that you work for.
Many organisations will also offer study support, pay for exam and tuition fees, and grant study leave. The CGIUKI Accredited Employer register will highlight some of these.
FTSE 250 |
Salary range |
Bonus range |
|
Company Secretary |
£140 - £210k+ |
10 - 50% |
|
Deputy Secretary |
£110 - £180k |
10 - 45% |
|
Senior Assistant Secretary |
£75 - £90k |
5 - 35% |
|
Assistant Secretary |
£50 - £70k |
5 - 15% |
|
Co Sec Assistant |
£35 - £50k |
0 - 5% |
|
Graduate/Trainee |
£25 - £32.5k |
0 - 5% |
FTSE 100 |
Salary range |
Bonus range |
|
Company Secretary |
£160 - £250k+ |
20 - 50% |
|
Deputy Secretary |
£120 - £180k |
10 - 50% |
|
Senior Assistant Secretary |
£80 - £110k |
10 - 40% |
|
Assistant Secretary |
£60 - £85k |
10 - 35% |
|
Co Sec Assistant |
£40 - £55k |
5 - 20% |
|
Graduate/Trainee |
£30 - £35k |
0 - 10% |
FTSE Not-for-Profit
|
Salary range |
Bonus range |
|
Head of Governance |
£80 - £160k+ |
5 - 15% |
|
Deputy Secretary |
£50 - £80k |
0 - 10% |
|
Governance Manager |
£40 - £60k |
0 - 10% |
|
Governance Officer |
£25 - £40k |
0 - 10% |
|
Graduate/Trainee |
£20 - £25k |
0 - 5% |
What skills and knowledge do governance professionals need?
Governance professionals must understand a range of different subjects, including law, finance, strategy, risk, governance and compliance. You need to be commercially aware and operationally savvy, with an understanding of the sector and the wider environment you work in. You also need a good understanding of how culture can impact an organisation’s success and how it can be improved.
Sam Ngeow
Senior Associate, Elemental CoSec
“There is a huge opportunity in this industry, whatever your background or interests. Not having a business or legal background should not deter anyone from exploring it.”
How do I become a governance professional?
Qualify in governance
Even if you’ve got no prior experience working in governance, you can gain the necessary skills and knowledge through our Foundation Programme. A qualification in its own right, the Foundation Programme will also help you prepare for our Chartered Governance Qualifying Programme – the international benchmark for a career in governance.
You could also embark on the Qualifying Programme as part of a Masters degree and bypass some of the Programme exams, as part of our various dual-award partnerships with UK universities.
And, if you’ve already got a degree in law or finance, you can start the Programme straight away and could even skip some modules entirely.
Apprenticeships
A governance officer apprenticeship gives you the opportunity to work in a governance role and become an affiliated member of CGIUKI. Available in England, apprenticeships are open to practically everyone, whatever your background or existing qualifications.
