Board Secretary and Corporate Secretarial Practice (AS-025) Training Course

Board Secretary and Corporate Secretarial Practice

Effective boards depend on effective secretariats. The board secretary ensures that meetings are properly convened, papers are timely and clear, decisions are accurately…

5 daysClassroom or online

49Upcoming dates

12Cities

£2,250Fees from

Course overview

Introduction

Effective boards depend on effective secretariats. The board secretary ensures that meetings are properly convened, papers are timely and clear, decisions are accurately recorded, statutory obligations are met and directors receive the information and support they need to govern well.

This Board Secretary and Corporate Secretarial Practice training course provides a practical grounding in the role of the board or company secretary. Participants learn how to plan the board calendar, prepare agendas and board packs, support the chair, manage meetings and committees, write clear minutes and resolutions, maintain statutory registers and records, and support good governance practice.

The course also addresses confidentiality, conflicts of interest, director induction, board evaluation and the use of board portals and digital tools.

Course Objectives

By the end of this training course, participants will be able to:

Explain the role, responsibilities and independence of the board secretary
Understand core governance principles and the duties of directors
Plan annual board and committee calendars and agendas
Prepare high-quality board packs and coordinate board papers
Manage board and general meetings, including quorum and voting procedures
Draft accurate minutes, resolutions and action logs
Maintain statutory registers, filings and corporate records
Support director induction, conflict management and board evaluation

Target Audience

This training course is suitable for a wide range of professionals, including:

Board and company secretaries
Assistant company secretaries and governance officers
Executive assistants supporting boards and chairs
Legal and compliance staff with secretarial duties
Committee secretaries in public and private organisations
Governance professionals in non-profit organisations
Professionals preparing for corporate secretarial roles

Training Methodology

The course uses practical demonstrations, document reviews, minute-writing exercises and simulated board meetings. Participants work with sample agendas, board papers and governance documents and receive feedback on the quality of their drafting and meeting support.

Target Competencies

Board meeting management
Minute and resolution drafting
Governance documentation
Statutory compliance administration
Confidential information handling
Director support

Course outline

1Day One: The Role of the Board Secretary

Corporate Governance Essentials: Boards, committees, management and shareholders
The Board Secretary's Mandate: Duties, reporting lines and independence
Directors' Duties: What secretaries need to understand
Governance Codes and Charters: Key provisions and practical implications
Relationships with the Chair, Chief Executive and Directors
Ethics and Confidentiality: Handling sensitive information
Case Study: Governance failures linked to weak secretarial support

2Day Two: Planning Meetings and Board Packs

Annual Board Calendar: Aligning meetings with reporting and strategy cycles
Agenda Planning: Prioritising strategic and decision items
Board Paper Standards: Templates, length and executive summaries
Coordinating Contributors: Deadlines, review and quality control
Board Portals and Secure Distribution
Committee Support: Audit, risk, nomination and remuneration committees
Practical Exercise: Building an annual board calendar and agenda

3Day Three: Running Meetings

Notice, Quorum and Attendance Requirements
Supporting the Chair: Briefings, timekeeping and procedure
Declarations of Interest: Recording and managing conflicts
Voting and Decision Procedures: Resolutions and written resolutions
Virtual and Hybrid Meetings: Practical and legal considerations
General Meetings of Shareholders: Planning and conduct
Simulation: Supporting a board meeting from start to finish

4Day Four: Minutes and Records

Purpose and Legal Status of Minutes
Writing Minutes: Accuracy, balance and appropriate level of detail
Recording Decisions, Dissent and Actions
Action Logs and Follow-Up: Ensuring decisions are implemented
Statutory Registers and Filings: Directors, shareholders and charges
Records Retention and Archiving: Policies and secure storage
Workshop: Drafting minutes from a simulated meeting

5Day Five: Supporting Board Effectiveness

Director Induction Programmes: Content and delivery
Board Evaluation: Methods, questionnaires and follow-up
Delegations of Authority and Terms of Reference
Governance Policies: Conflicts, gifts, related parties and whistleblowing
Professional Development for Board Secretaries
Personal Action Plan: Strengthening secretarial practice
Final Review: Critiquing a board pack and set of minutes

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Board Secretary and Corporate Secretarial Practice course?

The course runs over 5 days of classroom training, usually Monday to Friday.

When is the next Board Secretary and Corporate Secretarial Practice course?

The next public date is 7 - 11 Dec 2026 in Frankfurt. There are 49 upcoming dates in total.

Where is this course held?

Upcoming sessions run in Frankfurt, London, Barcelona, Munich, Paris, Rome, Vienna, Amsterdam, Dubai, Geneva, Kuala Lumpur, Madrid.

Can I take Board Secretary and Corporate Secretarial Practice online?

Yes. Every date can also be joined live online in a virtual classroom with the trainer, for £1,280 per participant. Choose "Live online" in the dates table when you register.

How much does the course cost?

Fees start from £2,250 per delegate, depending on the city. Fees include tuition and course materials.

Do participants receive a certificate?

Yes. Delegates who complete the course receive a London Leadership Management Innovation certificate of completion.

Can this course be delivered in-house for our team?

Yes. LLMI can tailor and deliver this course privately for your organisation at your premises or in one of our training cities.

Course information last updated 14 November 2026.

Board Secretary and Corporate Secretarial Practice

Course overview

Introduction

Course Objectives

Target Audience

Training Methodology

Target Competencies

Course outline

Dates and fees

Frequently asked questions

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