{"id":3993,"date":"2026-02-26T14:38:24","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T14:38:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iconoffices.co.uk\/blogs\/?p=3993"},"modified":"2026-02-26T14:38:24","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T14:38:24","slug":"uk-company-secretary-appointment-and-termination-process-explained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iconoffices.co.uk\/blogs\/uk\/uk-company-secretary-appointment-and-termination-process-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"UK Company Secretary: Appointment and Termination Process Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"bsf_rt_marker\"><\/div><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-4005\" src=\"https:\/\/iconoffices.co.uk\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/UK-Company-Secretary-1-1-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"UK-Company-Secretary\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/iconoffices.co.uk\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/UK-Company-Secretary-1-1-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/iconoffices.co.uk\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/UK-Company-Secretary-1-1-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/iconoffices.co.uk\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/UK-Company-Secretary-1-1-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/iconoffices.co.uk\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/UK-Company-Secretary-1-1.webp 1151w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<div id=\"rtoc-mokuji-wrapper\" class=\"rtoc-mokuji-content frame4 preset5 animation-fade rtoc_close default\" data-id=\"3993\" data-theme=\"Blocksy Child\">\n\t\t\t<div id=\"rtoc-mokuji-title\" class=\" rtoc_left\">\n\t\t\t<button class=\"rtoc_open_close rtoc_close\"><\/button>\n\t\t\t<span>Table of Contents<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div><ol class=\"rtoc-mokuji decimal_ol level-1\"><li class=\"rtoc-item\"><a href=\"#rtoc-1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Register a limited company for just \u00a393.99 including government fee + \u00a3800 Gifts<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"rtoc-item\"><a href=\"#rtoc-2\"><b>Appointment of a company secretary<\/b><\/a><\/li><li class=\"rtoc-item\"><a href=\"#rtoc-3\"><b>Why remove a company secretary?<\/b><\/a><\/li><li class=\"rtoc-item\"><a href=\"#rtoc-4\"><b>What are the legal obligations to remove a company secretary?<\/b><\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/div><h2 id=\"rtoc-1\" ><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Register a limited company for just \u00a393.99 including government fee + \u00a3800 Gifts<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>While company secretaries are not mandatory for <a href=\"https:\/\/iconoffices.co.uk\/uk-company-formation.php\">private limited companies<\/a>, directors may choose to appoint one to assist with the director\u2019s day-to-day operations. Public Limited Company (PLC), on the other hand, must have at least one secretary. Whether mandatory or optional, the appointment and removal of the company secretary must follow proper procedure for the company to comply with its legal obligations.<br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Companies Act 2006 lays out the legal obligations of removing a company secretary, failure to which the company may be penalised. Read along to understand the legal requirements of appointing and terminating a company secretary.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"rtoc-2\" ><b>Appointment of a company secretary<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When appointing a company secretary, the company must ensure that it follows certain legal and procedural requirements. Limited companies may choose a secretary who may also act as the company director. However, if the company doesn\u2019t hire a secretary, it must ensure that the responsibilities are carried out by the director. The Companies Act states the requirements for hiring a company secretary in a public limited company. They include;<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A suitable candidate has the knowledge and experience to discharge the functions of the secretary of the company.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Has at least three years of the five years immediately preceding from appointment as secretary.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A member of specified bodies, such as;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales;<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">b)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland;<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">c)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants;<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">d)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland;<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">e)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators;<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">f)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants;<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">g)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A barrister, solicitor, or advocate admitted or called in any part of the UK.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"rtoc-3\" ><b>Why remove a company secretary?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/iconoffices.co.uk\/uk-company-formation.php\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3957\" src=\"https:\/\/iconoffices.co.uk\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/Register-a-limited-company-for-just-93.99.png\" alt=\"Register a limited company for just \u00a393.99\" width=\"728\" height=\"90\" srcset=\"https:\/\/iconoffices.co.uk\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/Register-a-limited-company-for-just-93.99.png 728w, https:\/\/iconoffices.co.uk\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/Register-a-limited-company-for-just-93.99-300x37.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 728px) 100vw, 728px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A company secretary may be removed for several reasons; however, the Companies Act 2006 lays out requirements for terminating them. Additionally, the company\u2019s Article of Association also states how the company secretary can be removed and who has the right to terminate them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For compliance with legal regulations, the company director must refer to the act and the articles of association. Some of the reasons why a company director may be removed include;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Misconduct<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every company has values, and if a company secretary goes against them, they may be terminated. Apart from company values, if the company secretary involves themselves in any illegal or unethical practices may be removed from their duties.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Incompetence<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once a company secretary is appointed, they have responsibilities that must be met. Once a secretary consistently fails to perform their duties, they may be removed from their post.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Breach of contract<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A contract of employment is a legally binding contract between the employer and the employee.\u00a0 Once a company secretary violates the terms of their employment contract, they may be terminated.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Change in business needs<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The company&#8217;s needs may change, especially when restructuring. This especially affects a private limited company, which does not require a company secretary. A public company must have at least one secretary.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"rtoc-4\" ><b>What are the legal obligations to remove a company secretary?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When removing a company secretary, the director must follow the Companies Act 2006 procedures and regulations. According to the act, the secretary may be removed by the board of directors or by members through ordinary resolution. For a secretary to be removed through ordinary resolution, the members must hold a general meeting and comply with the articles of association.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/iconoffices.co.uk\/uk-company-formation.php\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3957\" src=\"https:\/\/iconoffices.co.uk\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/Register-a-limited-company-for-just-93.99.png\" alt=\"Register a limited company for just \u00a393.99\" width=\"728\" height=\"90\" srcset=\"https:\/\/iconoffices.co.uk\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/Register-a-limited-company-for-just-93.99.png 728w, https:\/\/iconoffices.co.uk\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/Register-a-limited-company-for-just-93.99-300x37.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 728px) 100vw, 728px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once the secretary is removed, the company must notify Companies House within 14 days; failure to the company may incur penalties or fines. The company must also update its statutory registers to reflect the removal of the secretary. The register of secretaries must specify the date and reason for removal. It must also specify the details of the newly appointed company secretary.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When a company decides to remove a company secretary, it must ensure a new secretary is appointed before the previous one is removed. This is because the company cannot be left without a secretary.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In conclusion, appointing and removing a secretary must comply with the Companies Act 2006. Additionally, the director should also check the company\u2019s articles of association, which may outline the person in charge of removing a company secretary, such as company members.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Within 14 days of the company secretary&#8217;s removal, the company must inform Companies House. They must also update the statutory records of the company. To help keep company information updated in the public register, Icon Offices offers Confirmation Statements filing services. This ensures that all changes made in your company are updated in the Companies House register for transparency purposes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To update your company changes, contact us at <\/span><a href=\"mailto:info@iconoffices.co.uk\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">info@iconoffices.co.uk<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Table of Contents Register a limited company for just \u00a393.99 including government fee + \u00a3800 GiftsAppointment of a company secretaryWhy remove a company secretary?What are the legal obligations to remove a company secretary?Register a limited company for just \u00a393.99 including government fee + \u00a3800 Gifts While company secretaries are not mandatory for private limited companies, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4002,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3993","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uk"],"blocksy_meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iconoffices.co.uk\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3993","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/iconoffices.co.uk\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/iconoffices.co.uk\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iconoffices.co.uk\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iconoffices.co.uk\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3993"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/iconoffices.co.uk\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3993\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4009,"href":"https:\/\/iconoffices.co.uk\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3993\/revisions\/4009"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iconoffices.co.uk\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4002"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iconoffices.co.uk\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3993"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iconoffices.co.uk\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3993"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iconoffices.co.uk\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3993"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}