Investment Trust Company Secretary

Job Description

Job Title: Investment Trust Company Secretary

Location: Edinburgh/ London

Department: Distribution Division

About

At abrdn, our purpose is to enable our clients to be better investors.

Clients worldwide trust us to find future-fit investment opportunities to deliver the outcomes they want. Our technology and insight help empower them to make better decisions, while the powerful partnerships we build help to enhance the expertise that we offer. And by enabling clients to invest responsibly, it helps us to build a better world.

About the Role

We have an excellent opportunity for an Investment Trust Company Secretary to join the market leading, ambitious, closed-end funds team, which currently manages 18 UK-listed closed-end investment companies across various sectors.

Principal Responsibilities:
To act as company secretary to a number of listed closed-end investment companies and carry out professional departmental responsibilities, acting as a central point for client companies, abrdn departments and external bodies.

Management of Board Meetings

Act as the key point of contact for the Chair and Board Members during preparation for Board and Committee Meetings including:

- Preparation of Board and Committee Meeting agendas and minutes
- Attendance at Board and Committee Meetings, principally in London and Edinburgh but occasional travel elsewhere when required
- Drafting and Presenting Board and Committee Papers on areas of expertise - predominantly relevant legal, corporate governance and regulatory matters
- Management of Board Production process and engagement with Board Paper Authors
- Tracking actions agreed at Board and Committee Meetings through to completion
- To act as a disseminator within the department of news, information or relevant developments.

Statutory & Financial Reporting

Management of the preparation of Annual Reports and Half Yearly Reports and ad hoc financial reports including:

- Preparation of Directors' reports, notices of general meeting and general information
- Support across all other areas of the publications including Chairman's statements and Investment Manager Report and ensuring accuracy of all materials
- Management of production timetables
- Co-ordination and management of production and distribution to shareholders
- Liaising with internal teams to ensure data is timely and accurate
- Management of payment of dividends, and dividend timetables
- Review of all client invoices
- Oversight of Directors’ fees and expenses
- Management of share capital including conversion of loan stock, dividend reinvestment and the issue of new shares and/or share buybacks

Management of Annual General Meeting (and other General Meetings)

Co-ordination and management of the client Annual General Meetings and other General Meetings:

- Preparation of Notices of Meeting and production and circular of notices to shareholders
- Liaising with the Register and Savings Plan holder in relation to proxy voting
- Engagement with Proxy Voting agents on resolution recommendations
- Preparation of stock exchange announcements

Governance

Ensuring compliance with UK Corporate Governance Code, AIC Code of Corporate Governance, Listing Rules, Disclosure Guidance & Transparency Rules and Companies Act:

- Maintenance of Statutory Registers
- Drafting and issuing timely and accurate announcements to the London Stock Exchange
- Ensuring compliance with the Company’s Articles of Association
- Filing all necessary returns with the Registrar of Companies and FCA
- Arrange D & O Insurance
- Monitor shareholders
- Review legal agreements with the company’s solicitor
- To carry out various ad-hoc tasks and projects when required

Relationship Management

To act as a central point of contact for our investment trust clients. Developing and maintaining relationships with:

- Client Chairs
- Client Boards of Directors
- Registrars
- Auditors
- Legal Advisors
- Brokers
- Custodian
- Printers
- Typesetters
- Internal Teams at abrdn

To be successful in this role you will need (minimum experience/ requirements)
- Education to degree level with a relevant professional qualification (preferably solicitor, chartered secretarial or accountancy).
- Detailed understanding of the UK Corporate Governance Code (preferably with an understanding of the nuances relating to investment companies), the Companies Act, and the FCA Listing Rules, DTRs and PRs.
- Experience of attending Board Meetings, working alongside client Boards and working in professional services.
- Strong management / leadership skills; you will be managing multiple stakeholders
- An excellent communicator (written and oral)

Moreover, we recognise that supplementary skills beyond the minimum criteria can greatly enhance your success in this position. These skills are:

- A team player - able to collaborate effectively with your colleagues, consistently putting the teams’ goals and interests ahead of personal ones and activel