Essex

The Essex Branch provides CPD and networking opportunities for members, students and associates of the Institute living or working in Essex. Meetings are held quarterly in Chelmsford and are currently free of charge. As well as providing time for informal discussion and a chance to get to know other local members, presentations are provided on topics of professional interest.

Branch Survey

Here at the Essex branch, we are constantly looking at ways to improve your experience of your local company secretary network.
Special thanks for those that provided their feedback, your views are highly regarded. 

Conflict and Tension in the Boardroom 

Date: Postponed until further notice
Time: Registration: 7:00 pm, presentation: 7:20 pm onward
Address: Anglia Ruskin University, Lord Ashcroft Building – Room MAB 002a (Ground floor), Bishop Hall Lane, Chelmsford, CM1 1SQ 
Cost: Free
CPD: 1 hour

As company secretaries it is inevitable that you will see first hand how occasionally challenges and debates in the boardroom can lead to confrontation, giving rise to tension and conflict. This needs to be managed effectively by the Chair and their right-hand person – you, the company secretary.

This session will explore conflict and tension in the boardroom and discuss the outcome of the research developed by The Chartered Governance Institute in partnership with Henley Business School.

The speakers for this session are:

• David Gracie, Essex branch Chair and Head of KPMG’s Company Secretarial team in the UK
• Bernadette Young, Small Listed Companies Special Interest Group Chair and Director at Chadwick Corporate Consulting.

This is another great opportunity to catch up with other governance professionals in the local community so we hope to see you there.

Companies House: The changing role of the Registrar

Date: Monday 11 November

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has recently consulted on proposals to reform the Registrar of Companies. The proposals will represent the biggest shift to the company law framework and to the role of the registrar since 1844. Arguably, these reforms would mean a move for Companies House from “registrar” towards “regulator”, and provide a new role for the registrar as a key player in the fight against money laundering and economic crime. This session looked at the role of the registrar of companies as a result of these proposed changes.

Our speaker for the evening was Alex Walters, Head of Policy for Companies House. She has worked in the policy team since 2012 and is responsible for the implementation of legislative change that affects Companies House.

What makes a great company secretary or governance professional?

Date: Tuesday 30 April 2019

The Institute’s new competency framework, maps the skills, values and understanding that company secretaries need to succeed at different stages of their careers in today’s evolving governance environment. 

Our speaker, Charis Evans, Business Development Director at the Institute presented the  competency framework which was developed in collaboration with governance professionals from many levels and sectors. 

How far has the corporate world come in terms of diversity and inclusion?

Date: Wednesday 28 November 2018

There has been an increased focus on diversity issues for all companies, whether that is in respect of board composition, or gender pay reporting.

Our speaker David Gracie, Director - Head of Global Entity Management Services at KPMG, looked at developments in this area, with a particular focus on changes to the Corporate Governance code and how this impacts effective decision making at board level.

This event was also a great opportunity to network with other Company Secretariat professionals based in/around the Essex area from many different sectors and backgrounds.

Special meeting on proposed Charter and byelaw changes

Date: Thursday 19 July 2018

David Venus, International President, and Charis Evans, Business Development Director, updated you on the introduction of the new qualifying programme syllabus, affiliated membership and the new designation of chartered governance professional. They also sought your views on the International Council proposals to build on these innovations, including a new name for the Institute. You can read more about the proposals here. 

Effective networking for company secretaries

Date: Tuesday 20 February 2018

Networking and relationship building are skills for which there is little training or guidance available. As company secretaries, this is as vital as technical skills.

Our speaker, Madeleine Cordes, shared practical advice on the following topics:

• building relationships with your stakeholders in your organisation including promoting yourself and your team
• entering a room and deciding on your networking approach and desired outcomes, for example a seminar
• building your network of people and resources for ongoing and ad hoc support (your 'safety net')
• your role in the board room including seating arrangements and body language.

Essex Networking Reception

Date: Tuesday 21 November 2017

The Essex branch held our Networking Reception on Tuesday 21 November from 7pm onward.

This was a great opportunity to share knowledge, provide support and network with peers. The reception for Essex members was a chance to meet and socialise with like-minded individuals in an informal setting.

Diversity & Inclusion - Why it matters to boards

Date: Tuesday 10 October 2017

The consumer spending power of disabled people and their families (the Purple Pound) equates to £249 billion per year to the UK economy. There are currently over 1 million disabled people looking to become employed and many more seeking career development with forward thinking businesses. Disability provides organisations with a real commercial opportunity. 

The aim of the presentation is to support members to support their Boards around disability leadership in changing the inclusion and diversity agenda. It will provide information on the latest research findings, best practice and the emerging work of Purple in enabling businesses to see and take active steps in building disability capability. 

Special briefings on proposed Charter and byelaw changes

Date: Monday 7 August 2017

Peter Swabey FCG, Policy and Research Director, and John Heaton FCG, President Elect of the UK, Republic of Ireland and Associated Territories division, outlined the strategic drivers for the proposed Charter and byelaw changes and what they would mean for you.

Though only members can vote in the AGM, all students are very welcome to take part.

The Minuting of Meetings 

Date: Tuesday 14 March 2017

Good minuting is deceptively difficult and time consuming. The Institute's new guidance for minute-takers provides up-to-date expert advice about all aspects of the process.

Attendees joined Peter Swabey FCG, the Institute's Policy and Research Director, to hear more about the principles and practice of successful minute taking, and the consultation that informed the guidance.

Data Governance & Data Protection Seminar

Date: Monday 5 December 2016

Current UK data protection laws are out of date and due a significant refresh. How will your data governance practices meet the future regulatory requirements? Furthermore what implications will Brexit have on your data management? Join us for an expert discussion around best practice in this field.

Our expert speakers for the evening from Grant Thornton UK LLP included:

• Michael Dimopoulos - Data Governance - Associate Director
• Martin Hoskins - Data Protection - Associate Director
  
  

Maximise your Potential: The Company Secretary Career

Date: Tuesday 20 September 2016

Caroline Evans led the discussion about company sectreterial careers and the wide range of opportunities that such as career can offer. 

Caroline is the founder of MindLeap, a corporate governance boutique. She connects and collaborates with a variety of individuals and companies across the corporate governance community, providing expert advice, practical support and guidance within this complex arena. Caroline has a background encompassing the Civil Service, professional services, management consultancy and company secretarial recruitment. She is a Senior Associate for a niche board information advisory practice, co-hosts workshops for aspiring non-execs and runs events for a retail investor society.

Branch meeting – Policy update from Peter Swabey

Date: Tuesday 22 March

Peter Swabey, the Institute's Policy and Research Director, gave an insight into what’s coming up on the legal and regulatory horizon, providing a stimulating and concise way to plan for what’s ahead, exchange ideas on best practice and network with peers and colleagues.

View the slides

Read more from mondaq, a content partner of The Chartered Governance Institute