For many professionals working within a listed company environment is considered the most important factor when planning long-term career options. EJ Company Secretarial has a great track record of assisting the company secretaries of many listed companies, including FTSE 100 groups, FTSE mid/small caps and AIM listed companies. For candidates, the choice is bewildering and it might be helpful to give you the basics:

FTSE 100
Owing to the size and complexity of many of the FTSE 100 companies, secretariats tend to be larger (up to 30 in some companies) and definitely more structured. The sheer scale of operations mean it is likely that peripheral work such as share-schemes, pensions and insurance administration will fall to specialist teams.

Competition to move up the ranks within a larger team often forces individuals to enter the job market to seek a more senior position. If you can work your way up and find your niche within a FTSE 100, the rewards will be great – the pay and benefits are usually very good and the work will continue to challenge.

FTSE Mid Caps/larger AIM-listed companies
Secretariats tend to be smaller than their FTSE 100 counterparts (usually between 2 and 5 people) but the work is likely to include shares schemes, pensions and insurance, property, legal, facilities and health and safety.

With little departmental hierarchy, company secretaries within medium-sized companies say that they are more motivated by job content than job title. Also, exposure to the Board is greater providing the sense of being that much closer to the action.