Flex Legal launched their award‑winning Company Secretary Trainee Scheme in 2024. The scheme supports aspiring governance professionals through a competitive assessment process, after which successful candidates are employed by Flex Legal and seconded into an in‑house governance team for two years. During this time, trainees study for their CGI Qualifying Programme modules with KCB as their education provider.
Trainees work day‑to‑day within their host organisations, gaining hands‑on experience in real governance environments. Current host companies include National Grid, NatWest, Centrica and others.
KCB is proud to partner with Flex Legal to deliver the academic element of the scheme, supporting trainees as they begin their governance careers.
As the first interview in our Governance-Focused Employer Spotlight, we were thrilled to speak with Ellie Murray-McNeive, Head of Talent at Flex Legal. Ellie has lead their Learning & Development (L&D) on the trainee schemes for nearly three years.
1. How does Flex Legal prepare trainees for working in governance environments, whether through training, mentoring, exposure to different teams, or structured development?
Flex runs a social mobility scheme that places Co Sec trainees on in-house secondments within top governance teams at impressive companies such as NatWest, Ford, and The Crown Estate. Legal and Co Sec trainees join either an autumn or spring cohort, kickstarting their journey with a three-week, in-person ‘Readiness Programme’ designed to develop the skills and knowledge needed for success. Across their two-year secondments, trainees study Part One of the Chartered Governance Qualifying Programme through KCB. They also benefit from coaching, study sessions, and a comprehensive cross-cohort Learning and Development (L&D) programme, alongside ample opportunities to network within their host companies and with fellow trainees.
2. Beyond their academic studies, what further L&D would trainees expect?
We collaborate with a fantastic network of Company Secretaries, governance teams, and social mobility advocates who generously volunteer their time to develop our trainees. Our cohorts have recently benefited from insightful sessions led by industry experts, including:
- Amina Rasool (Co Sec at Ninety One) on Corporate Governance
- Kako Mavalla (Governance for Good) on board minute writing
- Mark Jenkins (Co Sec at Halma) on Boardroom Dynamics
- Kerry Round and Jane Powell (Round Governance) on exam technique and key skills for successful juniors
- Thelma Freeman (Deputy Co Sec at Nationwide) on communicating effectively with senior managers within a Co Sec team
3. Across the organisations you work with, what skills, behaviours, or mindsets tend to help early-career professionals succeed in governance roles?
A commercial mindset is hugely important; successful future trainees are genuinely interested in the financial and operational workings of companies and are motivated to see ‘behind the curtain’ of Board-level decisions. Resilience is another vital trait, as juggling professional studies alongside a full-time role requires determination and a strong work ethic. Finally, excellent communication skills and the ability to manage relationships effectively are absolutely crucial for any future Company Secretary.
4. How do junior colleagues typically contribute to governance when they join these in-house teams, and what kinds of responsibilities do they begin to take on early in their placements?
Our Co Sec trainees gain invaluable exposure to high-level work early in their secondments. Current trainees have actively contributed to preparing board packs and minutes, managing meeting logistics and action points, maintaining company registers, and handling Companies House filings. They also regularly assist with annual reports and the organization of AGMs.
5. From your perspective working closely with in-house Co Sec and governance teams, what does governance look like day-to-day inside the organisations your trainees support?
Across all the businesses we partner with, including FTSE 20 organisations, we see firsthand how closely Co Sec teams support daily operations well beyond standard company filings. The work is incredibly broad and dynamic; our trainees directly support vital decision-making functions and help ensure these organisations seamlessly meet their legal and regulatory obligations.