Cambridge
Academy
In London

Introduction

Board Secretariat work ensures boards and committees operate effectively, lawfully, and with strong governance. This practical program covers the core responsibilities of the secretariat function, ethical standards, meeting administration, board documentation, decision tracking, and relationship management with chairs, directors, and executives.

 

Course Objectives

• Explain the board secretariat role and how it supports good governance

• Apply ethics, confidentiality, and record-keeping principles in practice

• Plan and run effective board and committee meetings end-to-end

• Produce clear board papers, agendas, minutes, and decision logs

• Set up simple action tracking and follow-through routines

 

Target Audience

• Board secretariat officers and coordinators

• Governance and corporate services staff supporting boards/committees

• Executive assistants supporting senior governance forums

• Legal, risk, and compliance staff involved in board processes

• Anyone newly assigned to board and committee administration

 

Course Outlines

Day 1: Secretariat Role and Governance Context

• What the board secretariat does and why it matters

• Governance basics: board vs management (clear differences)

• Key relationships: chair, directors, CEO, executives, committee chairs

• Core artifacts: charters, terms of reference, annual workplans

• Activity: Map your governance forums and secretariat responsibilities

 

Day 2: Ethics, Confidentiality, and Professional Standards

• Ethical responsibilities: integrity, neutrality, independence, discretion

• Confidentiality and handling sensitive information

• Conflicts of interest: declarations, registers, and meeting handling

• Records management basics: retention, access controls, audit trails

• Workshop: Create a simple confidentiality and handling checklist

 

Day 3: Meeting Planning and Agenda Management

• Annual meeting calendar and forward agenda planning

• Agenda structure: items for decision, discussion, and noting

• Paper deadlines, quality checks, and coordination with authors

• Logistics: invitations, quorum, attendance, and remote/hybrid basics

• Activity: Build a meeting plan timeline and standard agenda template

 

Day 4: Board Papers, Minutes, and Decision Logs

• Writing effective board papers: purpose, options, recommendations

• Decision clarity: what is being approved and why

• Minutes basics: accurate capture, tone, and level of detail

• Decision logs and action registers: structure and ownership

• Case study: Review a sample board pack and improve one paper

 

Day 5: Follow-Through, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement

• Action tracking: owners, due dates, evidence, closure criteria

• Board reporting: actions status, key risks, policy updates, compliance items

• Managing stakeholders: director support, chair briefings, managing tensions

• Quality improvement: lessons learned, templates, and process updates

• Activity: Build a secretariat toolkit (templates + 90-day improvement plan)