Are you a qualified governance professional with a passion for corporate governance, compliance and supporting strategic decision-making? GB Railfreight is seeking an experienced Company Secretary to play a key role in ensuring the business operates to the highest standards of governance, integrity and regulatory compliance.
Reporting to the General Counsel and working closely with the Head of Legal and CFO, you will oversee company secretariat activities, corporate governance processes, financial policy administration and legal compliance obligations. You will work collaboratively with senior stakeholders across the business, helping to ensure that GB Railfreight's strategy, decision-making and operations align with all relevant legal, regulatory and ethical requirements.
This is an exciting opportunity for a professional who combines strong technical expertise with exceptional organisational and communication skills, and who thrives in a fast-paced environment.
If you are a motivated governance professional looking to make a meaningful contribution to a busy and ambitious organisation, we'd love to hear from you.
Location: London - applicants must live within a reasonable and commutable distance of our London office.
The salary on offer is up to £70,000
Closing date: 5th September - please apply as soon as possible, we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high number of suitable applications.
Responsibilities
- Convene all Group Board Meetings, GB Railfreight Board Meeting and the Committee Meetings.
- Attend all Board and Committee Meetings in person, produce agendas, take minutes, manage the Action Tracker, convey decisions, handle meeting correspondence and liaise with shareholder representatives and the Chair of the Board
- Meet regularly with the Chair of the Group Board and the General Counsel to discuss the Board Rhythm and Corporate Governance
- Ensure the company complies with its legal and regulatory requirements and follows best practice, by advising the board on their responsibilities and helping to develop corporate governance policies and procedures
- Implement processes and systems to help monitor changes in legislation and update the board and management teams on any legal developments that may impact the company
- Ensure that company policies are kept up to date and approved
- Communicate with external professionals involved in corporate governance, such as auditors
- Certify that a company complies with relevant laws, regulations, and corporate policies
Promote ethical practices within the company, to ensure compliance with codes of conduct and anti-corruption policies
- Oversee the filing of legal and regulatory documents, including annual reports and financial statements
- Maintain the group companies’ statutory registers and records, encompassing the register of shareholders, directors and other relevant documentation
- Work with the Head of Sustainability and Financial Controller to collate and present data as and when required by third parties.
Qualifications
About You
To be successful in this role, you will need:
- A high level of integrity, professionalism and discretion when handling confidential and sensitive information.
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- A collaborative approach, with the confidence and self-motivation to work independently when required.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
- A sound understanding of corporate governance principles and regulatory requirements.
- Experience coordinating Board and Committee cycles, including the preparation of agendas, papers and accurate minute-taking.
- A proactive mindset with a focus on continuous improvement, seeking opportunities to enhance systems, processes and reporting.
- The ability to anticipate governance requirements and identify potential risks before they arise.
- Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to delivering work of the highest standard.
GB Railfreight are proud to be one of the UK's fastest-growing rail freight companies, recognised for our reliability, growth, and commitment to delivering high-quality service. For over 20 years, we've been so much more than just trains — we're a dedicated team, committed to working together to deliver reliable, sustainable freight services and build strong partnerships across industries nationwide.
When you join GBRf, you become part of a team that truly values its people, works collaboratively, and takes pride in what we do — keeping goods moving through smarter, greener, and more efficient freight solutions.
We pride ourselves on being genuinely value-driven. Our core values guide everything we do, shaping our culture and actions:
Our Values
- Professionalism – Safety and security are paramount in our business, and we believe this forms the foundation of a high-achieving safety culture.
- Support – We look after our people, and they in turn are encouraged to look after each other.
- Communication – Transparency in our business is valued by both colleagues and customers.
- Trust and Empowerment – We believe openness and honesty create the best relationships, building trust and confidence.
- Enjoyment – Taking pleasure in coming to work at GBRf is actively encouraged, right from the top.
Key Benefits of Working With Us
As well as a competitive salary, annual leave package of 25 days plus bank holidays (or equivalent for Operational staff where bank holidays are worked) and enrolment into our Industry-Wide Defined Contribution Pension Scheme, we offer:
- A generous healthcare package
- An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - providing confidential support including counselling support, wellbeing resources and access to a 24/7 GP service
- An online benefits portal offering hundreds of discounts at nationwide retailers
- An electric vehicle scheme (available after your first 12 months)
- Regular social events, including days out for you and your family
- Training and development opportunities, including internal courses and external certifications through our industry-renowned development programs. We prioritise your growth in line with our people-centric culture.
Inclusion Without Exclusion
At GB Railfreight, we recognise that a more diverse range of people leads to greater innovation. We recruit and develop people best suited to the role requirements, regardless of background.
Our aim is to create a diverse workforce that reflects wider society. We champion diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing in the workplace, in alignment with our values.
If you're as passionate about Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) as we are, we invite new employees to join our People and Culture working group and contribute to the ongoing work in this area.
