Company Secretary

Company Secretary

Our client is a highly respected and established leader within the competitive South African Insurance sector. They are renowned for their commitment to robust governance, operational integrity, and delivering trusted financial services solutions. This role offers a unique opportunity to step into a pivotal governance function, reporting directly to the Chief Risk Officer, and ensuring the seamless operation of the entire Group's corporate structure within a stable and high-performing environment.

We are seeking a highly accomplished and legally astute professional to serve as the cornerstone of our client's corporate governance framework. This is a high-impact, replacement role where you will own the entire Company Secretarial function, driving best practices and ensuring absolute statutory compliance across the Group.

You will move beyond routine compliance to actively contribute to strategic risk mitigation, policy development, and the continuous improvement of governance processes. This position demands a proactive leader who can translate complex legal requirements into actionable governance strategies, foster strong relationships with the Board and executive management, and champion transparency and stakeholder trust. If you thrive in an environment where your expertise directly underpins organizational integrity and are ready to take full ownership of a critical function, this is your next career defining move.

• Oversee the full end-to-end Company Secretarial function, partnering effectively with external service providers to ensure flawless execution of all statutory duties.
• Lead the preparation and distribution of comprehensive board and committee meeting packs, ensuring all documentation meets stringent regulatory and governance prerequisites.
• Attend all critical meetings, taking accurate, professional minutes and ensuring timely drafting and execution of all formal resolutions.
• Act as the primary custodian for all corporate records, ensuring meticulous maintenance and compliance with the Companies Act and CIPC requirements.
• Drive governance excellence by drafting, maintaining, and advising on the Group's delegation of authority framework, terms of reference, and governance policies (e.g., aligning with King IV principles).
• Provide expert legal and governance advisory input on corporate matters, proactively identifying and mitigating potential risks for the Group.
• Serve as the key liaison with statutory bodies, including the FSCA, PA, and CIPC, managing required engagements and reporting.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement within the function by identifying efficiencies, mentoring team members, and championing new governance technologies and methodologies.
• Stay ahead of legislative changes impacting corporate law and governance, communicating critical updates and implementation strategies to senior management.

Education & Professional Qualifications

• LLB Degree or equivalent legal qualification (Must-Have)

• CGISA (Chartered Governance Institute of Southern Africa) qualification — Non-Negotiable Must-Have

Experience

• Minimum 3–5 years' direct experience operating as a Company Secretary within a complex corporate structure (Must-Have)

• Minimum 2 years' experience as a Legal Advisor or in a similar legal advisory capacity (Must-Have)

• At least 3 years' proven experience in high-quality Board and Committee minute-taking (Must-Have)

• Mandatory experience within the Insurance industry, ideally from a large or complex insurer (Non-Negotiable Must-Have)

Technical Knowledge

• Strong understanding of:

  • Corporate Law

  • King IV governance principles

  • The Companies Act

  • Regulatory bodies including FSCA, PA, CIPC

• Familiarity with insurance-specific terminology and regulatory frameworks

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional written and verbal communication

• Strong stakeholder management across executive and board levels

• Excellent governance research, drafting, and policy development capability

• Ability to translate legal requirements into practical governance frameworks

• High attention to detail and professional scepticism

Nice-to-Have

• Experience reporting to or working closely with a Chief Risk Officer or equivalent senior executive