Keeping Good Company

Private and public limited companies can now tap into specialist support to run their businesses after a Cumbria solicitor is awarded an internationally recognised Company Secretary qualification.

Katie Sinclair who lives in Penrith and is an Associate Solicitor at Burnetts in Carlisle has become an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries, having recently passed her Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) exam.

Katie said, “I work with companies every day advising on employment law, but felt that I wanted to develop my understanding of broader commercial issues The course covered corporate administration, directors’ duties and financial management as well as governance so I now have a good all-round knowledge of the commercial factors affecting businesses.”

Under the Companies Act, which is currently being introduced, private limited companies are no longer required to have a named Company Secretary. However, the company secretarial duties still have to be fulfilled. These duties include dealing with governance issues,  compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, share and membership registration as well as liaising with external regulators and advising on the implications of proposed policies.

Katie added, “The Company Secretary role has grown massively in the last 20 years. It’s very difficult to keep up to date with all the legislation and regulatory changes so I hope that some companies will find it helpful to come to Burnetts for Company Secretarial support.”

Katie is one of only two Associates of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries in the County, the other being Graham Lamont of Lamont Pridmore.

ICSA is the professional qualifying body for Chartered Secretaries.

For further information on Company Secretaries, call Katie on 01228 552222.

End

11th September, 2009

For further media information contact Angela Huck on 01228 552222.

Note to Editor:

Further information on ICSA can be found at http://www.icsa.org.uk/