ABSTRACT
How do effective directors ensure that the company secretary plays an important role as a trusted adviser with key responsibilities for ensuring compliance with laws and regulation?
Based on a framework of global corporate governance best practice, which can be used in all organisations anywhere in the world, this chapter of Questions To Ask (QTA) in the boardroom gives a high-level but succinct introduction to board support as represented by the company secretary.
Effective directors are aware of how to work closely with their company secretary. Company secretaries are often said to be “the conscience of the company” with a key function being handling the company’s documents and being the “archivist” of documents required under law, for compliance and for the smooth running of the company. They are also the “coordinators extraordinaire” holding the responsibility of coordinating meetings with directors, executives, and external presenters, and ensuring the board papers are appropriate and delivered in sufficient time before the meetings.
The chapter’s introduction leads into the key Questions To Ask in the boardroom, giving the reader further insight into how to initiate discussions about the quality of the board support, the agendas, board papers, and the board calendars, to mention a few.
