At WHSmith our people are at the heart of everything we do. They are the ones that go the extra mile for our customers. The ones that enable our growth. The Deputy Company Secretary is a Senior role within the Company Secretary’s Office/Legal Department of a FTSE 250 company.

The wide-ranging role reports directly into the Legal Director/Company Secretary, with responsibility for managing both Company Secretarial and Share Plan matters for the Company, and deputising for the Company Secretary as and when required. This is a broad and interesting role for a CGI/ICSA qualified professional with strong-listed company experience.

What you will be doing:

• Statutory compliance including filings at Companies House, maintenance of registers, stock exchange announcements, FCA and NSM filings, Model Code compliance, drafting minutes for subsidiary companies and helping to manage overseas subsidiary companies.
• Drafting of Annual Report and all ancillary documents. Responsible for Annual Report mailing and arranging the AGM.
• Reviewing terms of reference and corporate governance requirements.
• Providing advice and assistance to the executive team, board and shareholders.
• Assistance with projects/corporate transactions, including share buyback programme, acquisitions and disposals.
• Responsibility for all share schemes including the Company’s Sharesave Scheme and Executive Share plans. Management of invitations, maturities and allotments.
• Executive share plan management including LTIP and PSP. Managing Executive plan grants, maturities, exercises and any subsequent Stock Exchange announcements.
• Managing relationships with the registrars (including dividend payments), brokers, Jersey-based Trust, payroll, HR, tax and group finance.
• Preparation and filing of the HMRC annual tax returns.
• Line manager for department administrator.

What we are looking for:

• ICSA or CGI qualification with strong listed company experience.
• Demonstrable experience from within a senior assistant or deputy company secretarial position.
• High attention to detail and accuracy of information.
• Proven communication skills at all levels of stakeholder engagement.
• Experience of dealing with directors and senior stakeholders.
• Working knowledge of Companies Act 2006 and the UK Corporate Governance Code.
• Strong meeting minute taking skills.
• Experienced user of Blueprint and the Companies House webfiling system.
• A flexible collaborative approach with ability to prioritise tasks and manage conflicting deadlines.
• Competent in utilising Microsoft suite (specifically Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint).

About us:

Celebrating over 230 years, we’re proud to have grown and evolved into a globally recognised brand present in over 30 countries around the world, and we’re proud to be that air of familiarity people love and trust on their journey, both in life and through life. As a diverse group of over 5,000 colleagues, we are all on the same journey to a better business through our commitments to our planet, people and the communities we serve.

This role will be based in our Swindon offices, which are a central hub for our teams. We also have an office in central London close to Liverpool Street Station which you may be required to visit from time to time. We are an ambitious team that thrives on pace, collaboration and innovation resulting in a real entrepreneurial culture. It’s perfect for people who are happy to use their initiative and embrace life outside their comfort zone. 

At WHSmith, we’re all about creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace where everyone can be themselves and do their best. No matter your background, age, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, race or ethnicity, marital status, religion, sex, sexual orientation or anything else that makes you, you—you’re welcome here.

We’re also open to flexible working where possible, so if that’s something you need, let’s chat. And if you need any adjustments during the selection process, just let our Talent Acquisition team know—we’re happy to help!