Back to Job Search

Company Secretary & Legal Counsel

About the role

NRG Executive is proud to be partnering with Banks Group in their search for an exceptional Company Secretary & General Counsel to join their senior leadership team.

This is a rare and exciting opportunity to take on a high-impact legal and governance leadership role at the heart of a respected, privately-owned business with a proud North East heritage and a national presence.

Banks Group is entering a dynamic new phase, including the strategic divestment of its renewables business and the continued expansion of its housebuilding operations. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping and supporting this evolution.

The Role

Reporting directly to the Chairman, the Company Secretary & General Counsel will be responsible for legal, corporate governance, compliance, and risk management across the Banks Group. They will provide strategic advice to the Board and senior leadership, ensuring that governance frameworks and legal operations are robust, fit-for-purpose, and aligned with the Group’s long-term goals.

This role also involves managing a small legal and governance team and engaging regularly with shareholders, regulatory authorities, and external legal partners.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead all governance and compliance activities across the Group and its subsidiaries, ensuring compliance with UK regulatory requirements.

  • Act as Company Secretary, supporting the Board and its committees with accurate records, filings, and advice.

  • Provide strategic legal guidance on contracts, corporate restructuring, regulatory risk, intellectual property, and disputes.

  • Lead legal support for commercial transactions, property agreements, and inter-group arrangements.

  • Oversee shareholder relations and maintain strong communication with regulatory bodies.

  • Manage and develop the in-house legal and information governance team.

The Ideal Candidate

  • A UK-qualified solicitor (England & Wales) with a minimum of 5 years' PQE or a qualified governance professional (e.g. Chartered Governance Institute).

  • Demonstrated experience in corporate governance, board support, and legal counsel roles at a senior level.

  • Strong working knowledge of contract law, litigation, regulatory compliance, data protection (GDPR), and company law.

  • Excellent communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills.

  • A proactive and pragmatic approach to problem-solving, with a strong sense of integrity and accountability.

About Banks Group

Headquartered in County Durham, Banks Group is a family-owned business established in 1976. With operations spanning housebuilding, property development, mining services, and plant solutions, they are known for their Development with Care values - prioritising people, places, and sustainability in everything they do.

In 2025, Banks Group was named one of the UK’s Best Managed Companies by Deloitte, highlighting their excellence in strategy, innovation, culture, and governance.

To Apply
Please send your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role to Scot McHarg at scotmcharg@nrgplc.com
Application Deadline: Friday 11th July, 2025

Banks Group are partnering exclusively with NRG Executive for this hire. They will therefore not be accepting unsolicited CVs or approaches from other recruitment agencies.

NRG is an equal opportunities employer committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace. We oppose all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination on the grounds of any protected characteristic. Our aim is to create an environment that encourages diversity, builds on individual differences, and responds equitably to the needs of all. We proactively take steps to fulfil our legal obligations, remove barriers, monitor for fairness, reflect the communities we serve, and enforce a zero-tolerance policy for breaches of our Equality and Diversity policy.

Similar Jobs

View All Jobs
L&D Services Manager
Newcastle upon Tyne£50,000Permanent

Are you looking for an opportunity to lead a high-performing L&D support function while partnering closely with training providers and driving impactful learning delivery across a complex organisat...

People Partner
Sunderland£42,839Permanent

We are currently recruiting for an experienced and proactive People Partner to join a busy People & Culture team on a temporary contract for approximately 4-6 months. This is an excellent opportuni...

HR Coordinator
Sunderland£16.13 per hourTemporary

An opportunity has arisen for a People Coordinator to join a busy People & Culture function on a fixed-term basis. Reporting to a People Partner, you will play a key role in supporting the delivery...

Finance Director
YarmPermanent

Finance Director Yarm, County Durham Executive-level salary + benefits package   The Great North Air Ambulance Service is one of the region’s most respected and high-profile charities, delivering l...

Senior Sales Leader
Manchester£49,900Permanent

Are you an experienced sales leader who thrives in a fast-paced, high-performance environment? We are supporting a highly successful Manchester based business in the search for a Senior Sales Manag...

People Project Support
Gateshead£20.00 per hourTemporary

Temporary Project Support – Org Chart Specialist We are currently recruiting for a highly organised and detail-focused professional to support a short-term organisational project for an established...

Credit Hire Paralegal
Newcastle upon Tyne£26,000Permanent

A growing and highly regarded legal practice is seeking an experienced Credit Hire Paralegal to join its expanding team in Newcastle. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with defendant or ...

Senior Security Consultant
Permanent

I’m currently working with a growing cyber security consultancy looking to hire a Cyber Security Consultant with a strong interest and background in penetration testing, secure development, and off...

Risk & Compliance Officer
North ShieldsPermanent

About the job   We’re supporting a regulated business looking to appoint a Risk & Compliance Officer to join its Risk & Compliance team.   This is a varied role supporting the business with risk ma...

SEO Executive
North ShieldsPermanent

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a driven SEO Executive to join a growing in house marketing team within a fast paced and expanding business. This role is ideal for someone looking to develop...

Business Development Director
LondonPermanent

Business Development Director Position Position: Working from the closest Salary: Based on candidates experience The Business Development Director plays a pivotal role in driving the growth of the ...

HDR Fee Earner
Newcastle upon Tyne£35,000Permanent

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced HDR Solicitor to join a well-established and highly regarded law firm based in Newcastle. This firm has built a strong reputation for deliverin...