The scoreboard, and what is not on it. The hard targets, how often each is actually
looked at, and the quiet signals that never reach a dashboard.
Governance & Compliance Record
The absence of any significant breaches of the UK Corporate Governance Code, Listing Rules (if applicable), or other relevant regulatory frameworks.
Target · Zero major breaches reported in the annual report or to regulators. No adverse findings from the external audit regarding governance practices in the last financial year, and no regulatory fines or public censures related to corporate governance.
Board Effectiveness Review Scores
Year-on-year improvement or consistent high scores in the annual external Board Effectiveness Review, specifically relating to the quality of information, board support, and governance processes.
Target · Average score increase of 5% or maintaining 'excellent' rating (>90%) across relevant categories. Feedback from directors in the 2024 review shows a 7% improvement in 'Quality of Board Information' compared to 2023, with specific mentions of your team's proactive support.
Cost Optimisation & Efficiency
Achieving a measurable reduction in annual compliance costs through corporate simplification projects, process automation, or renegotiation with external service providers.
Target · Achieve a 10% reduction in the annual Company Secretarial budget (excluding salaries) within 18 months. Successfully led a corporate simplification project that dissolved 15 dormant subsidiaries, resulting in a £150,000 saving in annual filing fees and administrative costs.
Statutory Filing Accuracy & Timeliness
Ensuring 100% on-time and accurate filing of all statutory documents (e.g., Confirmation Statements, director changes) for all entities within your remit with Companies House and other relevant registries.
Target · Zero late filing penalties or rejections due to errors across all managed entities. For the last financial year, all 120 statutory filings across your portfolio were submitted correctly and on time, resulting in zero penalties and no requests for correction.
Board and Executive Confidence
The extent to which board members and executive leadership proactively seek your advice on complex governance matters, demonstrating trust in your expertise and judgment.
- You're regularly invited to strategic planning meetings beyond standard board cycles. Directors explicitly mention your invaluable counsel in board effectiveness reviews. Your opinions are sought on new policies or complex transactions. Directors feel comfortable raising sensitive issues with you first.
Team Development & Retention
Your ability to build, mentor, and retain a high-performing Company Secretarial team, ensuring career progression and a positive team culture.
- High retention rates within your direct team (e.g., >90% annually). At least one direct report progresses to a more senior role within 2-3 years. Positive feedback from team members in engagement surveys regarding your leadership and support. You've established clear development plans for your team.
Strategic Counsel & Influence
Your contribution to strategic projects (e.g., M&A, group reorganisations) by providing timely, practical, and legally sound governance advice that shapes outcomes.
- You're brought into M&A discussions early to advise on entity structures and governance implications. Your input is explicitly referenced in project post-mortems as critical to success. You're seen as a trusted advisor, not just an administrator. Your advice helps prevent issues before they become problems.
Proactive Risk Identification
Your foresight in identifying potential governance risks or compliance gaps before they become material issues, and proposing effective mitigation strategies.
- You present regular 'governance horizon' updates to the board or executive, highlighting upcoming regulatory changes and their potential impact. You've successfully implemented new controls or policies based on identified risks that hadn't yet materialised. Your team is known for flagging potential issues early.
