Is a Company Secretary Legally Required?
For private limited companies:
No. Since 2008, it is no longer a legal requirement for private limited companies to appoint a company secretary.
For public limited companies (PLCs):
Yes. PLCs must appoint a qualified company secretary by law.
Although not required for private companies, many still appoint one to help manage administrative and legal obligations effectively.
What Does a Company Secretary Do?
The company secretary plays a key role in supporting directors and ensuring the company complies with UK company law.
Typical responsibilities include:
- Preparing and filing Confirmation Statements
- Maintaining statutory registers (directors, shareholders, PSCs)
- Keeping records of board resolutions and minutes
- Updating Companies House when changes occur
- Assisting with share transfers or restructuring
- Supporting corporate governance
At Dragonfly Associates, these tasks are handled by our in-house compliance team as part of our secretarial services, where agreed.
Why Appoint a Company Secretary?
Even if not required by law, appointing a company secretary can bring several benefits:
- Ensures legal filings are submitted on time
- Reduces administrative burden on directors
- Helps maintain corporate transparency
- Improves investor confidence
- Ensures smooth running of board and shareholder processes
For international clients and growing businesses, having a designated company secretary is often a practical necessity.
Who Can Be a Company Secretary?
There are no formal qualification requirements for secretaries in private companies, but they should be:
- Organised and detail-oriented
- Familiar with UK company law and procedures
- Capable of managing legal filings and registers
In PLCs, the secretary must have appropriate legal, accounting, or governance qualifications.
Dragonfly Associates provides professional company secretarial services, delivered by trained staff under defined service agreements.
Company Secretarial Services We Offer
Subject to contract, our company secretarial support can include:
- Maintenance of statutory records and registers
- Preparation of board resolutions and meeting minutes
- Filing of changes to directors, addresses, or share structures
- Issuing and recording of share transfers
- Annual compliance checks
- Ad hoc support with restructuring or investor reporting
These services are available to clients on an ongoing or as-needed basis, depending on your selected compliance or legal support plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a director also be the company secretary?
Yes. In private companies, a director can serve as secretary, but it’s often better to delegate for objectivity and workload distribution.
Do I need to inform Companies House if I appoint or remove a secretary?
Yes. If a company secretary is appointed or removed, this change must be reported via the appropriate Companies House forms.
Can Dragonfly Associates act as my company secretary?
Yes, we offer company secretarial services to eligible clients under agreement. This can be as part of a broader compliance package or a standalone service.
Stay Organised and Compliant
While not legally mandatory for private companies, the company secretary remains a valuable role—especially when growth, structure, and compliance matter.
Dragonfly Associates helps UK and international businesses maintain their corporate responsibilities with professional, in-house secretarial support tailored to your needs.
To explore whether appointing a company secretary is right for your company, contact our team today.
