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- Average UK company secretary salary: £40,000–£48,000/year (Rs.50.40L–Rs.60.48L at Rs.126/GBP).
- Entry-level: £28,000 (Rs.35.28L)· Senior 10+ yrs: £65,000–£90,000+ (Rs.81.90L–Rs.1.13Cr).
- UK qualification route: CGI Chartered Governance Qualifying Program.
- ICSI (India) is not automatically recognised by CGI apply for module-by-module exemptions.
- Visa: Skilled Worker Visa, SOC code 1151 verify current salary threshold on GOV.UK before applying.
The average company secretary salary in the UK is £40,000–£48,000/year (Rs.50.40L–Rs.60.48L at Rs.126/GBP), based on Glassdoor UK 2026 data. Chartered secretaries at FTSE 350 companies regularly earn six-figure packages. The Companies Act 2006 sustains this demand by mandating a designated company secretary for every public limited company in the UK.
Company Secretary Average Salary in UK by Specialization
Salary varies by seniority, employer size, and sector. The table below lists roles in ascending seniority order. Note: Assistant Company Secretary is a junior role reporting to a Company Secretary the original article had this inverted.
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| Role | Avg Annual Salary (£) | Approx. (INR at Rs.126/GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| Trainee Company Secretary | £26,000 | Rs.32.76L |
| Assistant Company Secretary | £32,000 | Rs.40.32L |
| Company Secretary | £40,000–£48,000 | Rs.50.40L–Rs.60.48L |
| Deputy Company Secretary | £52,000 | Rs.65.52L |
Counselor insight: Indian professionals entering the UK at the assistant CS level often underestimate London's cost of living. The Rs.40.32L range is competitive for early-career professionals, but a one-bedroom flat in London costs £1,400–£2,000/month. Before accepting any offer, benchmark your net take-home against current rental costs in the specific city. Salaries outside London run 10–15% lower, but so does rent.
Comparing salaries across UK professional qualifications? See our guides on CFA Salary in the UK and ACCA Salary in the UK for a fuller picture of finance and governance career earnings.
Company Secretary Average Salary in UK by Experience
| Experience Level | Avg Annual Salary (£) | Approx. (INR at Rs.126/GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (0–2 years) | £28,000 | Rs.35.28L |
| Mid-level (3–7 years) | £44,000 | Rs.55.44L |
| Experienced (8+ years) | £56,000 | Rs.70.56L |
| Senior / FTSE-level | £65,000–£90,000+ | Rs.81.90L–Rs.1.13Cr+ |
Counselor insight: The jump from mid-level to experienced is where Indian CS professionals with ICSI backgrounds can accelerate quickly, particularly if they've completed CGI Part Two and taken on board secretary responsibilities. Employers weight practical board exposure heavily at this stage, more than additional qualifications.
At entry level, company secretaries earn £28,000/year (Rs.35.28L) well above the UK minimum wage, which makes this a strong starting point for Indian graduates entering the UK job market.
Qualifications: CGI Chartered Governance Qualifying Programme
The Chartered Governance Institute UK and Ireland (CGI) is the professional body that governs the company secretary qualification in the UK. The CGI Chartered Governance Qualifying Programme has two levels:
- Part One (Level 6): equivalent to a final-year undergraduate degree. Covers company law, corporate governance, and financial management.
- Part Two (Level 7): equivalent to the postgraduate level. Covers advanced governance, strategic leadership, and boardroom practice.
Graduates of law, accountancy, finance, and business management may receive subject exemptions from Part One. The CGI maintains a list of registered tutor partners on its website for those studying alongside work.
Counselor insight: Students frequently ask whether they need a full UK degree before sitting CGI exams. They often don't realize that the CGI programme is a standalone professional qualification. What matters is having an honors degree (any discipline) and demonstrating relevant work experience. ICSI-qualified professionals with 2–3 years of experience are typically competitive for direct CGI entry with exemptions.
Before committing to the full CGI programme, some Indian students gain initial UK exposure through governance or legal internships in the UK, which also count as relevant work experience for CGI entry requirements.
For Indian Students: ICSI to CGI What the UK Recognises
The most common question from Indian CS professionals: "Will my ICSI qualification be accepted in the UK?" The short answer is no; it is not automatically accepted. But you won't have to start from scratch.
What ICSI Exemptions Look Like in Practice
ICSI-qualified professionals can apply to CGI for module-by-module exemptions. Most ICSI members receive partial Part One exemptions, particularly in company law and corporate governance subjects. You will likely still need to complete Part Two to earn Chartered Secretary designation in the UK.
| Stage | What You Do |
|---|---|
| 1. Apply for CGI Exemptions | Submit ICSI transcripts and certificate to CGI's membership team |
| 2. Get Your Exemption Schedule | CGI issues a personalised list of modules you must complete |
| 3. Study Remaining Modules | Enrol with a CGI registered tutor partner (part-time, alongside work) |
| 4. Apply for CGI Membership | On completion, apply for Chartered Secretary designation |
Skilled Worker Visa for Company Secretaries (SOC 1151)
To work as a company secretary in the UK, Indian professionals need a Skilled Worker Visa under SOC code 1151. Requirements:
- A job offer from a UK Home Office-licensed sponsor employer
- Salary at or above the current going rate for SOC 1151 (check GOV.UK thresholds; they change annually)
- English language evidence (IELTS Academic 6.5+ or equivalent)
Check whether the role appears on the current Shortage Occupation List before applying; the outcome affects the minimum salary threshold. Also check if your employer will support a UK Dependent Visa for family members.
Counselor insight: In our experience, Indian students with 2–3 years of post-ICSI experience are well-positioned for assistant CS roles at mid-size UK firms, completing remaining CGI modules part-time. The ICSI technical grounding is genuinely valued, but the visa process takes time. Start your sponsor employer search and CGI exemption application at least 6–9 months before your planned start date in the UK.
Career Prospects and Sector Opportunities
Company secretaries work across FTSE 350 listed companies, NHS foundation trusts, housing associations, charities, and professional services firms. The Companies Act 2006 drives demand by mandating a designated company secretary for every public limited company. Senior practitioners in FTSE 100 companies can earn well above £90,000/year (Rs.1.13Cr+) with performance bonuses.
Salary growth in the role follows ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data for professional governance roles, which is a more reliable reference than algorithmic aggregator projections. The path to CGI Fellow status requires at least eight years of experience, three at the senior level.
Also explore: Highest Paying Jobs in the UK for Indian Students and High Demand Jobs in UK for Indians.
Counselor insight: Governance is one of the few UK sectors where multinational employers actively value experience with Indian regulatory frameworks, SEBI compliance, the Companies Act 2013, and secretarial audits. Indian CS professionals should highlight their cross-jurisdictional governance experience on their UK CVs, not hide it.
Key Responsibilities
- Supporting the board of directors and ensuring effective governance.
- Maintaining statutory books and organizing board meetings and AGMs.
- Filing annual returns, confirmation statements, and audit reports with Companies House.
- Monitoring legislative changes and updating compliance frameworks accordingly.
- Managing dividend payments and supporting share issues and mergers.
What to Do If Things Go Wrong?
If CGI rejects your exemption application: Request a detailed breakdown of the decision in writing. You can reapply with additional supporting documents. A detailed syllabus comparison between your ICSI papers and the CGI modules often strengthens a second application.
If your Skilled Worker Visa is refused: Check the refusal letter for the specific reason. The most common causes are a salary below the going rate threshold or a sponsor license issue on the employer's side; both are fixable. Reapply once the gap is addressed; a single refusal does not bar future applications.
If your employer cannot sponsor you: Look for CGI-registered firms and FTSE-listed companies that already hold active sponsor licenses. The Home Office publishes a searchable register of licensed sponsors on GOV.UK.
3 Takeaways
- The UK pays company secretaries £40,000–£48,000/year (Rs.50.40L–Rs.60.48L) at mid-level, significantly above Indian market equivalents, but London's cost of living absorbs a real share of that difference.
- Your ICSI qualification will not transfer automatically. Apply to CGI for exemptions first before enrolling in any programme or accepting a UK job offer.
- Start your visa and exemption process 6–9 months before your target start date; the two run in parallel, and both take longer than most candidates expect.
Have questions about working in the UK as a company secretary? Book a free session with a LeapScholar counselor
Frequently Asked Questions About Company Secretary Average Salary in UK
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Can Indian CS professionals work in the UK?
Yes, but the CGI does not automatically recognize the ICSI qualification. Indian CS professionals must apply for module-by-module CGI exemptions, complete remaining requirements, and then apply for CGI Chartered Secretary status. Once qualified, the Skilled Worker Visa (SOC code 1151) is the correct UK work visa, subject to a licensed sponsor employer and meeting the current going rate salary threshold.
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How long does it take to become a Chartered Secretary in the UK?
The full CGI programme typically takes 2–4 years of part-time study. ICSI-qualified professionals who receive partial exemptions may complete remaining requirements within 12–24 months of part-time study alongside employment.
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Is it worth moving to the UK from India as a Company Secretary?
For ICSI-qualified professionals with 3–5 years of experience, the UK offers significantly higher earnings (Rs.35L–Rs.80L+ depending on level) and faster career progression into senior governance roles than most India-based equivalents. The trade-off is the high cost of living in London and the qualification top-up period. The career case is strong, but financial planning matters. A LeapScholar counselor can help you model the numbers for your specific profile and plan your UK intake timeline.
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What qualifications do you need to be a company secretary in the UK?
CGI membership, or active enrollment in the CGI Qualifying Program, is what most UK employers expect. The CGI is the recognized professional body for company secretaries across the UK and Ireland. Smaller private companies sometimes take on qualified accountants or lawyers in CS roles without a CGI, but for listed companies and financial services firms, the CGI is effectively non-negotiable.
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Is £70,000 a good salary in London?
Yes, but context matters. £70,000 (Rs.88.20L at Rs.126/GBP) puts you comfortably above the London average, but after tax and rent, typically £1,400–£2,000/month for a one-bedroom, your disposable income is more modest than the gross figure suggests.
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How much do company secretaries get paid in the UK?
The average company secretary salary in the UK is £40,000–£48,000/year (Rs.50.40L–Rs.60.48L at Rs.126/GBP). Senior and FTSE-level roles go beyond £65,000/year (Rs.81.90L+).
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Is Indian CS (ICSI) valid in the UK?
Not automatically. ICSI is not recognized by the CGI; you must apply for module-by-module exemptions and complete the remaining CGI papers before you can practice as a Chartered Secretary in the UK.
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Is the company secretary in demand in the UK in 2026?
Demand is steady. Every UK public company is legally required to have one, and governance requirements across financial services have been tightening. Specialist recruiters Morgan McKinley and Taylor Root both reported active hiring across FTSE and financial services in 2026. CGI-qualified candidates with listed company experience are the ones who get shortlisted fastest.
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What is the company secretary's salary in the UK per month in Indian rupees?
At an average annual salary of £44,000, the monthly gross is approximately £3,667, which is around Rs.4.62 lakh per month at an exchange rate of Rs.126 per GBP.
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What is the average salary of a senior company secretary in the UK?
Senior company secretaries in the UK earn £65,000–£90,000/year (Rs.81.90L–Rs.1.13Cr at Rs.126/GBP). At the FTSE 100 level, total compensation, including bonuses, can exceed £1 lakh GBP annually.
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