Cambridge
Academy
In London

Introduction

Board Secretariat teams ensure boards and committees operate smoothly, legally, and effectively—through strong governance processes, accurate records, and professional communication. This practical program equips senior specialists with simple tools to manage board operations, prepare meetings and papers, document decisions, and maintain secure, compliant governance administration.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

·        Understand board and committee governance basics

·        Plan board meetings and manage the annual calendar

·        Prepare and control board papers and agendas

·        Write accurate minutes and resolutions

·        Apply confidentiality, document control, and compliance practices

Target Audience

This course is designed for

·        Senior specialists and officers in board secretariat roles

·        Governance coordinators supporting boards and committees

·        Executive office staff supporting leadership meetings

·        Compliance and legal support staff involved in governance

·        Anyone coordinating board packs, minutes, and actions

Course Outlines

Day 1: Board Governance Basics

·        Roles of the board and committees

·        Secretariat responsibilities and boundaries

·        Governance documents (charters, ToR)

·        Decision rights and approvals

·        Activity: Secretariat maturity self-check

Day 2: Board Calendar and Meeting Planning

·        Annual governance calendar basics

·        Agenda planning and time allocation

·        Collecting papers and deadlines

·        Stakeholder coordination and reminders

·        Workshop: Build a meeting plan template 

Day 3: Board Papers and Pack Control

·        Board paper structure and quality

·        Editorial checks and consistency

·        Version control and late paper rules

·        Using secure sharing and access controls

·        Activity: Review and improve a board paper

Day 4: Minutes and Resolutions

·        Minutes structure and writing style

·        Capturing decisions and actions

·        Drafting resolutions basics

·        Review process and approvals

·        Case study: Minutes writing simulation 

Day 5: Compliance, Records, and Follow-up

·        Confidentiality and records retention

·        Action tracking and follow-up routines

·        Handling conflicts of interest disclosures

·        Board reporting basics (actions, attendance)

·        Final project: Board secretariat playbook