The role of company secretary today has become much wider than that of the past and in the future it will be much more varied as companies undergo rapid transformations in the corporate environment. The new era of governance requires a company secretary who, in addition to ensuring regulatory compliance, has a strategic role in corporate governance, digital transformation, and board advisory.
In the past, a company secretary was considered the compliance muscle- man in- charge of statutory reporting, company records, board minutes, and compliance with the Companies Act 2016.
In future however this role would be widened to incorporate:
The company secretaries will be required to carry with them an intensive knowledge of corporate governance, taxation and employment legislation besides being able to interpret the practical implication of these laws on the board.
The future ready firm secretary should be technologically available. Technology has taken over as an important aspect of secretarial work with the emergence of cloud storage, digital signatures, and virtual meetings.
Some of the important technology adaptations are:
These online tools allow the secretaries of companies to be more effective and still meet the statutory deadlines in spite of remote or hybrid work arrangements.
Consulting and training services will also be another aspect of company secretary in future. With the rise in complexities in governance in organizations, chartered secretaries are able to contribute value to the company by:
Through these value-added services, the secretaries of the company are also enhancing the company governance culture and decision-making structure.
Company secretaries have a great burden since they are the custodians of corporate records and strategies. Future practitioners in this field should still be ethical, self reliant and confidential.
They must ensure:
A knowledgeable and ethical company secretary does not only safeguard the company, but it also increases the image and trustworthiness of the company.
The new post-pandemic world has changed the workplace expectations. The next generation secretary of the company will have to negotiate working remotely, international cooperation and digital governance.
The major trends that influence the profession are:
Being flexible, the company secretaries are able to be the relevant and valuable co-creators of corporate success.
At HL Khoo Group, we help companies navigate these changes with professional corporate secretarial support, built on compliance, governance, and integrity.
Beyond compliance, future company secretaries will act as strategic advisors—bridging governance, technology, and business strategy.
Automation, e-signatures, and online filing systems will make compliance faster, more accurate, and paperless.
Strong governance knowledge, digital literacy, communication, problem-solving, and ethical judgment will be key.
By investing in technology, encouraging continuous learning, and partnering with experienced corporate secretarial firms like HL Khoo Group.