Viewed in Spencer Stuart Insights
Most executives know the roles of Secretary and Company Secretary. Far fewer know the Board Secretary, a governance role that is quietly emerging in many of the world’s largest organizations.
This evolution reflects a broader trend highlighted in Spencer Stuart’s latest research. As boards devote more attention to long-term value creation, AI, cybersecurity, executive succession, and shareholder expectations, governance itself is becoming more specialized.
Governance Is Evolving
The Spencer Stuart study shows that Company Secretaries now contribute well beyond legal compliance and board administration.
Many now help prepare board discussions, improve governance processes, facilitate board evaluations, and support directors in making better long-term decisions.
Their role is evolving from administering governance to helping shape it.
Board Succession Shows the Shift
One survey result illustrates this evolution particularly well.
While 56% of Company Secretaries believe they could contribute more to board succession planning, only 14% currently participate as true strategic partners.
That gap suggests boards increasingly recognize the value governance professionals can bring to long-term planning, even if many organizations have not yet fully expanded the role.
Better Boards, Not Just Better Meetings
Another important trend is board effectiveness.
Company Secretaries are increasingly helping boards evaluate their own performance, identify governance improvements, and translate board assessments into practical actions.
The emphasis is shifting from organizing meetings to improving how boards operate.
Three Secretary Roles Are Emerging
As governance becomes more sophisticated, three distinct professions are becoming easier to distinguish.
A Secretary is often a trusted operational coordinator supporting a CEO, executive team, or business unit. Beyond administration, the role frequently includes confidential matters, cross-functional coordination, executive follow-up, and special projects. In many organizations, it has evolved toward a Chief of Staff position.
A Company Secretary serves the corporation as a whole. The role oversees corporate governance, legal entities, regulatory compliance, shareholder matters, and the effective functioning of the board and its committees.
A Board Secretary focuses exclusively on the board of directors. Working closely with the Chair and directors, the role supports board succession planning, director onboarding, board evaluations, governance reviews, and the overall effectiveness of the board.
Take-Aways
On The Official Board, we identify about 11,000 Secretaries, including 4,100 Company Secretaries and 206 Board Secretaries. While Board Secretaries remain rare, their emergence reflects the growing specialization of governance as boards face increasingly complex strategic challenges.
Our sincere thanks to George Anderson, Consultant in Boston, Jennifer L. Herrmann, Consultant in Philadelphia, and Jill W. Kernan, Consultant in Philadelphia, together with their colleagues at Spencer Stuart, for sharing their valuable insights into the evolving role of governance professionals and board effectiveness.
