Chartered membership is the gold standard for company secretaries and governance professionals. It is highly valued by employers and is globally recognised as a mark that confirms you have the knowledge, skills and experience for a role with significant and wide-ranging responsibilities. It also demonstrates that you are committed to maintaining standards within the profession and you have a commitment to your own professional development. Click on the tab below to find out more about the eligibility requirements for our two chartered grades and how to register with us if you are a member in public practice.
Associateship
Graduates of the Chartered Governance Qualifying Programme with six years governance experience (this may be reduced to three if you hold a relevant UK degree or international equivalent) are invited to apply to become an Associate member. As an Associate you will be entitled to use the designations Chartered Secretary and/or Chartered Governance Professional and the post nominals ACG.
Applications can be considered at any time. On submission your evidence will be assessed by the Membership Team. The decision to approve your application is taken by the CGIUKI Committee, by Written Resolution on a monthly basis.
Please read the information below before starting your application. If you have any pre-application questions, please contact the membership team on +44 (0)20 7580 4741 or via the Contact Us form.
1. Complete the application form
Before completing the form you will need to read the guidance for completing applications.
2. Attach supporting documents
- Original completed and signed Associate application form
- All necessary signatures and optional supporting documentation. Electronic signatures are accepted.
- A CV confirming your employment for the past ten years and your education. On your CV you need to detail your roles and responsibilities clearly demonstrating your governance experience. Please state the month as well as the year you were employed.
3. Gain signatures for recommendation
You will need to obtain recommendations from two sponsors and ensure the supporting signatures required are on the application form. Electronic signatures are accepted.
4. Send forms
Please email your completed documents and all supporting evidence to membership-journey@cgi.org.uk with Upgrade Application in the subject line. A member of the team will then check your application and will contact you if any further evidence is required. We will also get in touch to request payment of the upgrade fee.
5. Arrange payment
You will need to pay an associate upgrade fee of £160 (reduced rate of £100 available to those in eligible countries). This upgrade fee is required to be settled after your application is officially approved.
Fellowship
Graduates and Associate members with eight years governance experience (this may be reduced to five if you hold a relevant UK degree or international equivalent) are invited to apply to become a Fellow of the Institute.
Fellowship recognises experienced governance professionals and company secretaries who are excelling in their careers, and who are demonstrating a commitment to the profession and to promoting and maintaining the highest standards in governance.
As a Fellow you will be entitled to use the post nominals FCG, to illustrate your professional standing in the governance community. You can continue to use your chartered designations which provide public assurance that you have the necessary skills and qualifications, and you are committed to your own professional development and to maintaining excellent standards in governance.
Fellowship upgrades can be considered at any time. On submission your evidence will be assessed by the Membership Team before it is considered by the Membership Committee, which meets on a monthly basis. All Fellowship applications require ratification by the CGIUKI Committee, our governing board.
Please read the information below before starting your application. Please note that we now have a new application form, we will be accepting applications submitted using the old form until the 31st July 2024. After this date, any application submitted using the old form, may be sent back with a request to use the new one. If you have any pre-application questions, please contact the membership team on +44 (0)20 7580 4741 or via the Contact Us form.
1. Complete the application form
Before completing the form you will need to read the guidance for completing applications.
- Download the Fellowship application form
- Read guidance for completing your application
- Notes for sponsors
2. Attach supporting documents
All applications should be sent to the Membership team by email (see below). Scanned documents are therefore acceptable along with electronic signatures.
- Original completed and signed Fellowship application form (for assistance in completing the form, please refer to the ‘notes’)
- All necessary signatures and supporting documentation
- A company hierarchy chart showing your position in relation to the board/company. (If you do not have a chart then please could your company confirm your level of position, i.e. departmental structure and reporting line)
- A statement of responsibilities (list of job roles) for your current position
- A recent company annual report. This should, wherever possible, be a link to an online version. If you are unable to provide this information the reason for this should be clearly stated on your application form.
- A full CV (This is useful to see the scope of experience achieved and the past progression that also clearly demonstrates your governance experience.)
3. Gain signatures for recommendation
You will need to obtain recommendations from two sponsors and ensure the supporting signatures required are on the application form. Electronic signatures are accepted.
4. Send forms
Please scan your completed documents and all supporting evidence and send to membership-journey@cgi.org.uk with Upgrade Application in the subject line. A member of the team will then check your application and will contact you if any further evidence is required. We will also get in touch to request payment of the upgrade fee.
5. Arrange payment
You will need to pay the fellowship upgrade fee of £320 (reduced rate of £190 available to those in eligible countries). This upgrade fee is required to be settled after your application is officially approved.
Public practice certificate
If you're a chartered secretary working in public practice, why not join our Public Practice Scheme, designed to support and promote Institute members who work as sole practitioners or in small partnerships?
It is open to all members based in the UK and Ireland. Being part of the scheme costs just £156 including VAT per year and provides:
- Accredited practitioner status
- Certification
- A listing (by region) on the The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland website
- Special discounted rates on professional indemnity insurance
For more information, read our conditions of entry or contact us
To apply for the scheme, take the following simple steps
1. Complete the application form
Before completing the form you will need to read the guidance for completing applications.
- Apply online or Download the public practice scheme application form
- Read guidance on completing your application
2. Send forms
Please scan your completed documents and all supporting evidence and send to membership-journey@cgi.org.uk with Upgrade Application in the subject line. A member of the team will then check your application and will contact you if any further evidence is required. We will also get in touch to request payment of the upgrade fee.
3. Arrange payment
You will need to pay the annual fee of £125 plus VAT by cheque, made payable to The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland, sent with your application form.
