Trainee - Company Secretarial Assistant

Who we’re looking for

The primary focus of this role is to provide professional governance advice and company secretariat support—in partnership with senior team members—to a diverse portfolio of investment trusts managed by Schroders. This position offers valuable experience working with listed companies and direct exposure to external client boards. You will also have the opportunity to assist senior team members with group projects, as well as take on more complex assignments as you progress.

We recognise that the successful candidate will need training and the opportunity to develop within the role. This position would suit someone who is keen to build a career in financial services, and who is enthusiastic, diligent, detail-oriented, and eager to learn from a team of experienced company secretaries. An openness to new challenges is essential.

Ideally, candidates will be at least midway through their professional Governance exams and aiming to qualify within the next couple of years. However, we also welcome applications from those at an earlier stage in their qualifications (or who have yet to start). We are committed to supporting your professional development and will sponsor your studies as part of our development plan.

About Schroders and its range of investment trusts

We are a leading provider of active asset management, advisory, and wealth management services, with approximately £700 billion in assets under management. Employing around 5,100 people across six continents, we have built a reputation as a trusted investment manager over the past two centuries. As society and technology evolve, we continue to adapt—while remaining steadfast in our commitment to supporting our clients and contributing to wider societal prosperity.

Schroders is also a prominent provider of investment trusts, offering a suite of 13 innovative strategies spanning the UK, Asia, thematic, impact, and real estate sectors. These trusts leverage our global investment resources and strong local expertise. Investment trusts are publicly listed companies designed to generate returns for their shareholders. Their day-to-day management is entrusted to professional investment managers, who are in turn overseen by an independent board of directors to ensure that they always act in the best interests of investors. 

About Schroders

We’re a global investment manager. We help institutions, intermediaries and individuals around the world invest money to meet their goals, fulfil their ambitions, and prepare for the future.

We have around 6,000 people on six continents. And we’ve been around for over 200 years, but keep adapting as society and technology changes. What doesn’t change is our commitment to helping our clients, and society, prosper.

The base

We moved into our new HQ in the City of London in 2018. We’re close to our clients, in the heart of the UK’s financial centre and we have everything we need to work flexibly.

Working arrangements

We offer flexible working arrangements tailored to a client solutions-focused role. You will be expected to work, on average, three days per week in the office and two days remotely.

The team

The Investment Trust Company Secretariat team is a supportive, experienced, and inclusive group of six, collaborating extensively with the wider Schroders business and working closely with wholly independent non-executive directors. We are regarded by our colleagues as trusted advisers, and we are committed to maintaining that confidence through our professionalism and approachability. 

What you'll do

Working in collaboration with experienced company secretaries (who will take the lead initially), you will support a number of investment trusts with the following activities:

• Scheduling meetings and liaising with directors and internal stakeholders regarding availability;
• Preparing and arranging the release of various stock exchange announcements, including regulated information;
• Facilitating the execution of documents with the appropriate authority;
• Agreeing agenda items in line with board and committee meeting cycles and at the request of chairs;
• Collating board packs in collaboration with the business, and preparing governance papers as required;
• Attending and supporting meetings, including drafting accurate and timely minutes;
• Following up on and completing meeting action points;
• Acting as a point of contact for board members and internal and external advisers;
• Enabling, facilitating, and monitoring compliance with relevant regulatory and statutory requirements, including statutory and regulatory filings;
• Advising on corporate governance requirements applicable to investment trusts;
• Supporting the provision of inductions and ongoing training for directors;
• Facilitating the preparation of interim and annual financial reports, including responding to audit requests, drafting and implementing report production timetables, preparing governance sections, and carrying out accounts verification processes;
• Maintaining team procedures in liaison with other team members as appropriate;
• Monitoring activity across the investment trust range, which may include developing and implementing procedures to track such activity;
• Fulfilling requests for certified copies of board resolutions, extracts of minutes and registers, or other documents managed by the Investment Trust Governance Team;
• Arranging intranet site updates;
• Maintaining resource shelves on the Board Intelligence portal for board papers;
• Complying with internal and external record-keeping requirements, including maintaining up-to-date information on Kube and appropriate filing on iManage;
• Assisting in responding to and coordinating shareholder queries and complaints; and
• Undertaking ad hoc tasks or duties as required by the wider Group Governance team.

The knowledge, experience and qualifications you need

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal;
• Interest in, or already studying for, the Chartered Governance Institute qualification (or newly qualified);
• Some experience of attending and minuting board meetings (advantageous);
• Competent IT skills, with strong proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook;
• Familiarity with Board Intelligence, Kube/Blueprint Diligent, and iManage (advantageous but not essential);
• Experience in financial services (advantageous but not a prerequisite);
• Highly organised, able to prioritise and deliver within strict deadlines;
• Confident, with the ability to hold the attention and respect of directors and senior management (now or with future development);
• Able to work quickly and accurately under pressure with minimal supervision;
• Analytical and highly disciplined;
• Proactive and self-motivated;
• Collaborative and effective team player.

We recognise potential, whoever you are

Our purpose is to provide excellent investment performance to clients through active management. Diversity of thought, facilitated by an inclusive culture, will allow us to make better decisions and better achieve our purpose. This is why inclusion and diversity are a strategic priority for us and why we are an equal opportunities employer. You are welcome here, regardless of your age, disability, gender identity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, or any other protected characteristic.