CGIUKI is a professional body with over 130 years of experience providing industry-leading education in the arena of governance. The qualifying programme enables Chartered status, which is the benchmark for company secretaries and governance professionals. It demonstrates that you have the knowledge, skills and experience to take on a job with significant and wide-ranging responsibilities in large, medium, and small organisations. This includes a diverse range of roles such as being within a secretariat or governance team, being part of a professional services team, having sole governance, or a company secretarial* role.

Having at least five years’ experience as a legal professional comes with the acquisition of the knowledge and skills required to make you eligible for Fast Track for CGIUKI’s Qualifying Programme.

The qualifying programme is comprised of seven modules. With Fast Track, Chartered status could be achieved in as little as 9-12 months by completing two modules (Level 6 Corporate Governance and Level 7 Risk Management), instead of the usual seven modules.

Today, there is much greater attention on organisations working legally, ethically and sustainably to find ethical solutions to global issues such as Covid-19, climate change and social inequality, and few roles offer as much opportunity to be directly involved in decision-making as that of the governance professional.

What are the benefits of pursuing a governance-focused career?

  • Influence and respect: Governance offers a direct route into the boardroom. As the board’s most valued strategic adviser, you will use your authority, technical competency and expertise in a job that sits at the heart of public, private and not-for-profit organisations.
  • Value-add: The role directly influences strategy and decision-making, how an organisation achieves its aims and ensures that all activities comply with legal, ethical, and regulatory requirements, making you the go-to person for the organisation.
  • Higher earning potential: You will witness your earning power soar when you reach Chartered Status. You will not only be rewarded financially, but professionally too as no two days are the same – you will have a role jam-packed with variety. All-seeing, all-knowing, and highly valued governance professionals are the eyes and ears of an organisation. There is much more to the role than simply ensuring statutory and regulatory compliance.

What’s more, CGIUKI continues to support you throughout your career. For the duration of the Fast Track programme you will have expert coaching and guidance from qualified trainers, experienced in taking senior post-holders through to qualification and beyond.

Are you eligible?

If you are a professional with at least five years of relevant post-qualified experience, you should be eligible to apply for the Institute’s Chartered Governance Qualifying Programme via the Fast Track Professional route.

To find out more information or to see how you can apply, scan the QR code, visit Get ahead fast on cgi.org.uk or email us at fast-track@cgi.org.uk

*In governance, Company Secretaries are the main influence on the board and in charge of implementing strategies and procedures to ensure governance principles and practices are tailored to fit the board’s needs and expectations of investors. Company Secretaries are more in demand than ever and essentially act as a valuable board adviser.