By
Many Company Secretaries don’t arrive through a traditional or linear pathway. They are accidental: appointed because they are capable, trusted, organised, and already close to the boardroom. I was one of them.
Before formal certification, much of what I practiced had been learned through experience, observation, and strong mentoring. The Accidental Company Secretary module validated that reality while also making one thing abundantly clear: experience without foundational knowledge carries risk.
Understanding the basics such as corporate structures, regulatory obligations, director duties, delegation of authority is non-negotiable. Without them, even the most competent administrator can unknowingly expose directors and organisations to governance failure.
Through study, I was able to consolidate:
- what sits with the board vs management
- the legal standing of the Company Secretary
- how and when advice should be escalated
- and the boundaries that protect both directors and executives
I’ve seen firsthand how poor governance literacy can lead to director disputes. When roles are unclear, expectations misaligned, or authority misunderstood, conflict quickly follows, often not because of bad intent, but because the framework was weak.
Strong mentorship again played a defining role. Having a General Counsel who expected rigour, curiosity, and courage forced me to move beyond “this is how it’s always been done” to “is this defensible, compliant, and in the organisation’s best interest?”
For Executive Assistants, this knowledge is transformational. Understanding governance basics enables EAs to:
- anticipate issues before they arise
- support executives with confidence
- manage sensitive information appropriately
- and operate effectively in complex environments
These skills now underpin how I support boards, executives, and how I run my own business. Governance knowledge is not confined to the boardroom, it informs decision-making, risk management, and leadership at every level.
Being an “accidental” Company Secretary doesn’t mean being under-prepared, but it does mean owning the responsibility to learn the fundamentals.
- Alex
