Company secretaries, in-house and general counsels, have been advised to consistently demonstrate high-quality trust, keep themselves independent of board executives and be involved in the business of their organisations.

The General Counsel, Zempler Bank, United Kingdom, Dr Solomon Osagie, said this during a webinar series eight, organised by Kaizen Academy. He added that while company secretaries and general counsels learn to effectively engage stakeholders, every in-house counsel must be more strategic on how to support and understand the business well enough to be able to fully integrate themselves and contribute meaningfully to the growth of the organisation.

According to him, lawyers must be independent, critically minded, and have to be careful so they don’t cross the line. Legal Director and Company Secretary, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Abidemi Ademola, urged in-house counsels to stay professional with the board and, as much as possible, stay neutral when it comes to boardroom politics.

She urged that as they progress in their career, they have to exhibit leadership qualities. She urged that they must be versatile on conservation around ESG, data, and cybersecurity as they have come to stay.

“In-house counsel have to emerge and evolve and be abreast of their legal strengths. You must know how to read your organisation’s financial statements, manage budget, and demonstrate the excellent values you bring,” she said.

Company Secretary, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Cecilia Madueke, who spoke on the need for in-house counsels to be digitally informed, said there is a lot that artificial intelligence would bring to the table of a company secretary or general counsel.

She said acquiring knowledge in the field would enable them to learn faster and have a more efficient way of managing counsels and stakeholders to achieve better outcomes.

General Counsel and Company Secretary, Mercedes-Benz, South Africa, Dr Denis Peterson, urged them to drive organisational profitability and be business-oriented to understand the business.

Company Secretary, Ninety One, South Africa, Nana Aston, urged that they read on organisational key policies, governance principles, and check for legislative provisions.

On trends, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel, JP Morgan Chase, United States, Oyetutu Ayeni, charged them to be abreast on ethical supply chain and climate change.

She urged that general counsels must have the right acumen and functional skill set on business literacy, adding that they must not be seen as a clog in the wheel.