JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE Group Company Secretary JOB LEVEL TBC
DEPARTMENT Group
REPORTING TO Group CEO
JURISDICTION Guernsey
OPERA SUMMARY Opera Group is a leading provider of Fund Administration, Private Client and Corporate Services. The Group is headquartered in Guernsey and has offices in Jersey, Mauritius, Bahamas, Bermuda and the Isle of Man. Our clients range across high-net-worth individuals, families, corporate institutions and asset managers. Opera employs over 330 people, the majority of whom are qualified as accountants, corporate secretaires, and fiduciary professionals. We prioritise continuous growth and development of our people, recognising that their success is the foundation of excellent client service and business growth. Opera has a new ownership structure and is owned by a standalone company, Opera Limited. The majority shareholder is Pula, Stephen Lansdown’s family office. Opera is privately owned with a fully-aligned strategy for growth and transformation. Our vision is long-term and extensive and will allow us to plot a strategic arc. Our holistic strategy includes investing into cutting-edge technology and data management tools, investing into back-office simplification to improve client and employee experience, extensive training for our team, and continually enhancing our employee value proposition all to align staff and shareholder interest and fuel a constant drive for sustainable excellence and growth. Opera is committed to this exciting journey. JOB SUMMARY The Group Company Secretary will be responsible for the governance framework and company secretarial matters for the Group (covering various jurisdictions). This role will ensure that the company adheres to regulatory and statutory requirements, maintains high standards of corporate governance, and provides effective support to the Board of Directors, senior management, and other stakeholders. The role involves managing Board operations for Opera and its committees and forums, shareholder communication, legal compliance, and regulatory reporting for the group’s activities and oversight of the licensees within the group FORMAL POSITIONS
Group Company Secretary Opera Limited Company Secretary Opera Group Limited Company Secretary Authorised Signatory as required
KEY RESPONSIBILITES The post holder will be responsible for the following alongside accepted corporate secretarial tasks: Governance & Compliance
Advise the Board, Board Committees, and senior executives on corporate governance best practices, legal and regulatory requirements, and fiduciary duties.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Working with the Group Head of Risk and Compliance, ensure that the companies complies with all
relevant regulations, including financial services laws and corporate law. Monitor changes in relevant statues, industry governance standards and best practices, and
proactively recommend necessary changes to the organization’s practices and policies. Maintain Authorised Signatory List. Maintain/provide CDD of the Group. Maintain/provide structure charts as required. Oversee/ maintain statutory registers of the Group Guernsey Companies . Assist with the record management of the Group’s employee long-term incentive plan. Oversee/ undertake statutory filings of the Group Guernsey Companies .
Board & Committee Support
Maintain corporate calendar of events of the Group and operating Companies. Provide comprehensive governance support for the Group and operating Companies’ Boards and
Committee meetings, including the preparation of logistics, distribution of materials, agendas, minutes, and action points.
Draft, monitor, prompt, update action points from prior board meetings/committee meetings. Ensure the smooth flow of information between the Board, Committees, and senior management. Advise on the composition of the Board, director appointments, and succession planning. Draft Company secretary reports for the Board.
Special Projects
Lead or support the company on corporate transactions such as mergers, acquisitions, restructuring, or fundraising, ensuring compliance with all legal and governance standards.
Assist in the development and implementation of corporate policies and procedures, ensuring these align with regulatory expectations and best practices.
Corporate Reporting
Responsibility for all statutory submissions regarding any Guernsey Group companies and oversight of statutory filing requirements in other jurisdictions for all other Opera companies.
Ensure the timely filing of statutory documents with relevant authorities, including Companies House, and maintain all corporate records (e.g., registers of directors, shareholders, and company resolutions).
Draft assessment of operating companies’ boards’ self-evaluation of performance. Draft/contribute to Board’s assessment of adherence to Corporate Governance Code where relevant.
Shareholder Relations
Manage relationships with shareholders, ensuring effective communication and transparency regarding the company’s performance, governance, and key initiatives.
Coordinate the organization and execution of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Extraordinary General Meetings (EGMs), ensuring that shareholder engagement is appropriately facilitated.
Legal and Regulatory Risk Management
Work closely with the legal and compliance teams to assess and manage legal risks, and ensure adherence to risk mitigation protocols.
Leadership & Stakeholder Management
Lead and manage the Company Secretarial function, ensuring provision of high-quality, efficient, and effective support across all aspects of corporate governance.
Support the executive leadership in strategic initiatives requiring corporate governance expertise. In all aspects of the role, display and adhere to our Opera 8 values. Contribute to the development of Director Induction programme.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Employee Signature:_____________________________________ Date:_____________________ Employee Name: ________________________________________
KEY COMPETENCIES & SKILLS
Relevant Qualification e.g. ICSA Chartered Governance Professional (CGP) or equivalent qualification. Minimum of 7 years’ experience in a relevant role within Financial Services. Strong knowledge of Company Secretarial practices and Guernsey Company Law, offshore funds and
relevant stock exchange rules (where applicable). Knowledge of Company Secretarial practices and Company law for other jurisdictions would be
advantageous. Understanding of the regulatory landscape in financial services. Strong understanding of corporate governance frameworks, statutory requirements, and corporate
law. Previous experience supporting Board and Committees at a senior level.
Personal Attributes
Excellent IT skills, including practical experience of Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel. Excellent time management, prioritisation and organisational skills. Excellent written & verbal communication skills . Strategic thinker with a proactive, solutions-oriented approach. High ethical standards and integrity, with a strong understanding of corporate governance principles. Resilient and adaptable, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving regulatory and working
environment. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to manage relationships with internal and external
stakeholders effectively. KEY BUSINESS PARTNERS
Board of Directors Senior Management Team Operating Companies MDs