Why are listed companies outsourcing their company secretarial and governance function – and how can MSP help?
An increasing number of UK PLCs are outsourcing their company secretarial, board/committee and AGM support to specialist third-party providers, with governance converting from a commercial enabler rather than a burden on compliance. Many see the benefits of hiring in expertise and deeper knowledge, reduced risk, and time regained as well worth the investment in a service provider. This guide highlights the extensive value of outsourcing company secretarial services.
If you would like to discuss a support package for your organisation, then contact us here
Why are company secretarial duties a focus for the C-suite?
If you’re a Chair, CEO or CFO of a Main Market, AIM, AQSE or JP Jenkins-traded company, your agenda is already full.
Regulation keeps increasing, investors want more transparency, and Board time is under real pressure. At the same time, many listed companies are running with lean in-house teams and tight budgets.
What does outsourced company secretarial services really mean?
The direction of travel is clear: governance and company secretarial services are no longer viewed as a narrow compliance function. They are recognised as a critical part of Board effectiveness, risk management and long-term value creation – and outsourcing is now a mainstream way to access that capability at the right scale and cost.
For a Main Market, AIM, AQSE or JP Jenkins company, outsourcing your company secretary duties and governance function typically means appointing a specialist firm to:
- Act as named Company Secretary or outsourced company secretary
- Support (or fully manage) your Board and Committee cycle – agendas, packs, minutes and actions
- Project manage your AGM and shareholder meetings
- Maintain statutory registers and entity records
- Advise on Companies Act, listing rules, DTRs, AIM Rules, AQSE rules, MAR and governance codes
- Provide additional governance advisory, transaction and project support as needed
- Comply with filing deadlines, statutory obligations and requirements from Companies House
You gain a dedicated governance partner, with a team that lives and breathes public company governance, without having to build and maintain that capability entirely in-house. This frees more time and resources for the Board to dedicate towards achieving organisational objectives while retaining the security that comes with good governance and compliance.
If you would like to find out more then please contact one of our team here
What are the benefits of outsourcing company secretarial services?
Outsourcing company secretarial responsibilities deliver the following benefits to your Company and your Board:
1. Deeper expertise and better coverage
Working with a specialist Company Secretarial third-party provider means your organisation benefits from best practice, peace of mind, and deep expertise for Companies Act requirements, UK listing rules, DTRs, Aim rules and regulations, AQSE rules and MAR plus evolving governance codes including:
- UK Code
- QCA Code
- Sector Guidance.
MSP Company Secretarial works with a portfolio of listed companies, which means we have the expertise to ensure you benefit from best practices, a pair of safe hands and “what works” that an in-house team might not easily replicate.
Speak to us here if you would like to find out more
2. Stronger governance and reduced risk
Outsourcing company secretarial services to a provider such as MSP Company Secretarial is a practical way to ensure your organisation benefits from strong governance and full compliance. We work with the Board to comply with all legislation, laws and regulations, mitigating business risk. Better governance frameworks, clearer Board processes and robust entity management reduce the chance of missteps, enforcement action or reputational damage.
Speak to our team about governance and compliance
3. Outsourced cost efficiency compared to building teams in-house
There are distinct cost advantages of relying on a Company Secretarial service provider. Outsourcing secretarial services avoids the fixed cost and time of recruiting, training, managing and retaining an in-house team with the full breadth of skills you’d ideally require. You pay for the level of support you actually use, not the full overhead of permanent headcount, office space, systems and cover for absence.
From a CFO lens, you benefit from access to a bench of specialists at a predictable fee, without loading your fixed cost base or struggling to attract and retain scarce senior governance talent.
Ask us about cost-benefit analysis for outsourced secretarial services
4. Time Back for the Board, CEO and CFO
Company Secretarial work is complex, deadline-driven and time-consuming, especially preparing board packs, minutes, statutory registers, MAR compliance and AGM preparation. Outsourcing that work allows management and the Board the peace of mind and time to focus on strategy, performance and transactions, rather than chasing filings and drafting meeting minutes.
For a Chair and CEO, it means the governance engine room runs in the background with minimal noise and fewer last-minute scrambles before Board and Committee meetings.
Read our article on AGM preparation
5. Independent External Perspective and Board Culture
MSP, as an external Company Secretarial services and governance provider, delivers independence and objectivity. We can advise the Chair and NEDs without being drawn into internal politics. We can also support Board culture – including Board Evaluation, Committee effectiveness and clarity around roles, delegations and decision-making.
For Chairs and Senior Independent Directors, this means an outsourced provider can act as a sounding board on business practices, governance issues and Board dynamics in a way that can be harder for a lone internal resource.
Speak to us about board evaluation and board culture
6. The commercial benefits of outsourcing company secretarial services
MSP Company Secretarial delivers these benefits in a deliberately commercial way. Our company secretarial and governance team is led by Director Ian Farrelly, a qualified solicitor with over 25 years’ experience as General Counsel and Company Secretary for organisations from high-growth AIM companies through to established FTSE250 businesses across multiple sectors.
Feedback from our client Boards and executive teams is consistent: MSP’s Company Secretarial’s support is “very commercial” – focused on solutions and outcomes, we don’t just recite the rulebook.
For you, that means:
- A Company Secretarial partner that speaks the same language as your CFO, CEO and Chair
- Governance advice that is grounded in how listed companies operate, trade and raise capital
- Minutes, Board papers and policies drafted in clear, usable language that stand up to public and regulatory scrutiny
- Outcome-focused advice – we start with what the Board is trying to achieve (transaction, capital return, restructuring, strategic shift) and then design governance and disclosure around that
- Early engagement – we work with the Chair, CEO, CFO and advisers ahead of key events (AGM, fundraise, M&A, board changes) so governance is integrated, not an afterthought
If you would like to discuss your requirements with our team, please contact us here
MSP Company Secretarial: Commercial, pragmatic and personal – not just compliant.
Our published service objective is to be in tune commercially with our clients and to deliver pragmatic, professional solutions, ensuring that good governance and compliance are commercially delivered.
If you are a Chair, CEO, CFO or Committee Chair of a Main Market, AIM, AQSE or JP Jenkins-traded company and would like to benchmark your current company secretarial and governance arrangements or de-risk an upcoming AGM, transaction or reporting cycle, then MSP Company Secretarial would be pleased to talk.
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Outsourcing Company Secretarial Services: Frequently Asked Questions
When is the right time to outsource Company Secretarial Services?
A majority of organisations find outsourcing Company Secretarial services becomes necessary when compliance and governance tasks overtake the time that should be dedicated to delivering organisational growth. Outsourcing is also common when internal teams lack the skills and specialist knowledge required to remain compliant with laws, regulations and legislation.
Is outsourcing Company Secretarial services suitable for both small businesses and larger organisations?
Smaller companies will often outsource to a provider such as MSP Company Secretarial because it is beyond their resources to employ a full-time in-house governance expert. Larger organisations will benefit from outsourcing through the streamlining of resources, spending less budget on FTEs that could be used to increase bottom-line performance.
How quickly can outsourced Company Secretarial services be implemented?
MSP Company Secretarial can integrate with your Board and senior management quickly and seamlessly. We can support reviewing and updating documentation and identifying filing gaps as part of our onboarding process.
Speak to our team to define your required support and gain a quote