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“We are so excited to share our CoSec Trainee scheme with Crafty Counsel members. If you take a CoSec Trainee, we'll offer you a place on the Flex Legal GC Academy worth £5,000!”

Mary Bonsor, Founder of Flex Legal

Crafty counsel offer

Host a Flex CoSec Trainee

Looking for exceptional graduate talent for your Governance team? Look no further! Flex CoSec Trainee is our award-winning scheme connecting forward thinking in-house Governance teams with socially mobile aspiring Company Secretaries.

  • Build your CoSec talent pipeline with minimal effort
  • Demonstrate your commitment to boosting social mobility
  • More time back for your senior team members

Crafty Counsel Members who host a Flex CoSec Trainee from Spring 2026 are eligible for one free place on The GC Academy worth £5,000!

Register your interest today

We'll be in touch with more information

Testimonials

“The Flex CoSec scheme has been a real asset to The Salvation Army. Divaani joined us well-prepared and quickly became a valued member of our governance team. Her professionalism and enthusiasm stood out from day one, and the ongoing support from Flex made the whole process smooth and effective.”

Elliot Thomas, General Counsel & Company Secretary at The Salvation Army

Testimonials

“I have had such a positive experience with the Flex CoSec programme to date. The team at Flex are great to deal with and took the time to fully understand the type of candidate that would suit our business. They have also created a Readiness Programme that really sets the candidates up for success and in turn benefits the participating company.”

Julie Trundle, Head of Company Secretariat PLC at Diageo

Testimonials

“Flex Co-sec has been a fantastic opportunity for me to further my interests in both company law and corporate governance, whilst breaking into a field that many people may not be as familiar with. Flex have been supportive throughout and I look forward to qualifying as part of the first cohort of Flex Co-secs!”

Vanessa Diaba, Flex Co-Sec Trainee at Diageo

Testimonials

“Flex Trainee has provided us with something which we could not have pulled off ourselves: brilliant and aspiring individuals from under-represented backgrounds who have made an impact in our legal team. We really value the service Flex provides, and we’re glad that a new trainee is also joining our CoSec team this year (2025).”

Jeremy Mavor, Senior Counsel at National Grid

Testimonials

“As a recent graduate, Flex Cosec has been really valuable in helping me transition into the professional world. The programme has provided helpful exposure to the governance field and connected us with experienced governance professionals across the industry. My experience on the programme has been incredibly positive. The team at Flex has been consistently supportive, ensuring we are well settled and feel confident in our placements.”

Divaani Gunalingam, Flex Co-Sec Trainee at Salvation Army

Testimonials

“Flex have been a great support in boosting my confidence on the programme. By providing the robust readiness programme, Flex provided several opportunities to tailor my soft and technical skills which put me in good standing to commence my training at NatWest. My colleagues were highly impressed with the skills and prep that Flex provided.”

Ejiroghene Jessah, Flex Co-Sec Trainee at Natwest

Testimonials

“The 3-week readiness programme has been a strong introduction to the Flex CoSec journey. It prepared me well for the role and offered practical guidance on navigating the corporate environment. What I found especially valuable were the insights shared by qualified professionals. Listening to their stories, from those just starting out to those with many years of experience, was inspiring and reassuring.”

Daphine Jemwa, Flex Co-Sec Trainee at Centrica

Testimonials

“I am so proud of the Flex team for blazing a trail with our new social mobility initiative, helping aspiring company secretaries to qualify. This offering reflects Flex’s DNA - creating opportunities for individuals in the legal sector at all stages in their career journeys.”

Kate Gaskell, CEO at Flex Legal

Hire

Finding socially mobile aspiring company secretaries

A screenshot of the testing process on Flex Trainee

Through a targeted social media strategy, strong relationships with university career departments and societies across the UK, and various social mobility legal charities, we work to find talented and deserving socially mobile aspiring company secretaries.

Flex Legal will work with you to understand your ideal candidate, and each applicant completes our rigorous assessment process, with the option to modify elements to suit your bespoke needs:

  • Application Form
  • Online Assessment
  • Interview with Flex Legal
  • Assessment Centre
  • Interview with new team
Get ready

Preparing for success

Flex Legal's Readiness Programme - speaker from Mishcon de Reya delivering a session on court room etiquette

All of our aspiring company secretaries start their Trainee journey by taking part in our intensive Readiness Programme which equips them with the network, practical skills, knowledge and acumen that they need to thrive in a professional environment.

The programme has guest Company Secretary speakers and allows your candidate to hit the ground running, armed with practical insight into:

  • What is the difference between an in-house legal team and company secretary team?
  • The role of the Company Secretary and opportunities for self development
  • How to take good Board minutes
  • How to communicate and how to have difficult conversations
  • The legal and regulatory responsibilities of a Company Secretary
WORK

Supporting Supervisors and Trainees

A full cohort of Flex Trainees are seen across a sofa in the Flex Legal office. They are as diverse as they are happy, and each bear a warming smile.

Flex Legal is dedicated to providing comprehensive support to both you and your trainee, ensuring that your trainee can achieve their full potential.

For Supervisors:

  • Each client has their own Account Manager at Flex Legal who will meet with you each month to review progress.
  • All Flex CoSec Trainees will complete Part 1 of the CGI examinations.
  • Throughout the scheme, Flex will provide monthly mentoring support, plus bi-monthly socials with other Flex CoSec clients.
  • Flex Legal will handle all employment matters, qualification requirements, education and exams, compliance, and on-going training sessions.
  • Once the placement has finished, you have the option to retain the candidate and move them to a permanent role within your CoSec team.