Before completing the fellow application form, please read these notes to ensure you fill in all of the relevant information included in your application.
Under byelaw 6, the basic requirements for election to fellow status are:
A 'fellowship-level' post is generally defined as a senior post in a substantial organisation. Notes on the eligibility of members in different sectors of employment and the supporting information required are given below.
Involvement/participation in the Institute's activities is highly recommended for all members, particularly for those who wish to apply to become a fellow. By proactively engaging with the Institute and helping shape its future, members will benefit from professional networking and the advantages of related CPD.
The term ‘fit and proper’ contained in byelaws 4 and 6 relates directly to the character of an applicant and includes the concepts of honesty, solvency and competence.
However, the Council does not link the term ‘fit and proper’ to a subjective view an applicant may hold of their own conduct and methods. As a result, the Council requires all applicants to answer questions 1-3 on page two of the application form as to their character.
The Institute’s Charter obliges it to supervise the standard of professional conduct provided by its members and it is important to emphasise that the examples given below are not intended to be exhaustive or definitive, the concept of ‘fit and proper’ is inherently open ended.
Question 1
This relates directly to the solvency of the applicant and would include any sequestration order,
compromise or deed of arrangement with your creditors.
Question 2
This relates to:
Question 3
This relates to:
If information is revealed to be inaccurate or misleading before election, the application is liable to be rejected and, if you are currently a graduate or associate, may lead to disciplinary action under byelaw 56.8.
If information is revealed to be inaccurate or misleading after election, you may be subject to disciplinary action under byelaw 56.8.
The following information should always be given in respect of the applicant’s present post, and also in respect of previous post/s where the present post has been held for less than three years. All supporting documentation in respect of the present post (except copy report and accounts) should be certified by the employer.
General, but particularly the public and private company sectors, including financial institutions
Generally, the applicant should hold a post that is at least second tier in the organisation (first tier is considered the level of responsibility that reports to the board of directors or its equivalent) and the organisation must be of sufficient size. In the case of a company, the size will usually be assessed by reference to turnover, which should be shown on the form.
Supporting documentation generally required is:
In sufficiently large organisations, applicants other than those in first or second tier appointments may be considered and applicants employed by subsidiary companies or in divisional organisations may be eligible. In this case, as well as the report and accounts of the parent company, it will be helpful to have that of the subsidiary or another indication of the size of the regional or divisional unit.
Local government, civil service, health service, etc.
Applicants should state their salary grade or scale and progression over at least the last three years.
Supporting documentation:
Higher education as a profession
Academic staff should state their grade and the subjects they teach.
Administrative staff should provide:
Supporting documentation:
For both academic and administrative staff:
Public practice
Members in public practice, whether practising as chartered secretaries or otherwise, should give some details of the client companies (if confidential, these may be referred to as client A, B, C, etc.) to whom they provide company secretarial or other specified services indicating: the size, in financial terms, of each client company, the services provided and the dates of acting for each client.
Where there is a considerable number of large clients (for example, where the applicant is employed in a sizeable professional firm, servicing public limited companies), between six and 12 of the largest clients could be selected. The above information should then be given and independently certified. If employed by a firm, rather than in sole practice, the applicant should also state whether he/she reports to partner level.
Supporting documentation:
Partnerships
Partners and applicants employed by partnerships should show the size of the partnership, for example, in terms of turnover, number of branches and number of staff. Employees of partnerships should state whether their post reports to partner level.
The supporting documentation in 1 (b) and (c) will usually be required.
Professional bodies, etc.
Number of members and size of funds should be shown.
Supporting documentation:
HM Forces
The appointment should be primarily administrative and the rank/s held for the past three years should be indicated.
Supporting documentation:
Each appointment on which the application is based must be certified by a senior officer of the organisation. This means that certification is almost always required for the present appointment and for any other appointments totalling, with the present appointment, not less than three years in the last ten, on which the application is based.
For the current appointment, please show the month and year from which held; for previous appointments, the month and year of starting and leaving.
The notes are designed as an aide memoire to members and to provide non-members of the Institute with background information about the Institute and an appreciation of what it means to achieve fellowship.
The Institute’s Charter was granted on 4 November 1902, 11 years after it was founded in 1891. Under its Royal Charter, the Institute has as its object ‘the promotion and advancement of the efficient administration of commerce, industry and public affairs’ (Article 4). Efficient administration remains the fundamental bedrock of organisational success today.
The Council can reduce the eight and six year qualifying periods in bye-laws 4 and 6 by up to three years where a person has:
Sponsors are invited to provide any additional remarks or amplification considered relevant on behalf of the applicant in a supporting letter.