CoSec Connect: Key takeaways from our inaugural breakfast roundtable for company secretaries

On Wednesday 3 December 2025, our Mourant Governance Services team welcomed members of our new CoSec Connect network to 1 Lombard Street for an engaging breakfast roundtable event – the first in a planned series of peer-led sessions.

Why it matters

In-house governance professionals often work as part of a one-person operation or within a very small team. Even when they do have a team, their next reporting line is typically to someone very senior. This structure can leave many feeling isolated in their roles.

By bringing governance professionals of all levels together, we want to create a trusted network where people can share experiences, challenges, and practical strategies in a trusted, collaborative space.

Discussion themes

Governance professionals face unique pressures – tight deadlines, complex compliance requirements, and high-stakes decision-making. With this in mind, the themes for this initial session included a focus on burnout, managing pressure and workload, and building resilience.  

Facilitators Jamie Wisbey, Chief Governance Officer at Mourant Governance Services, and Anna Myburgh, Company Secretary at Acteon Group, led the discussions, sharing their personal stories and insights. This sparked meaningful conversations around resilience and mental health from both personal and organisational perspectives.

Mental health and resilience are critical for sustaining performance and wellbeing in governance roles. By fostering open dialogue and peer support, CoSec Connect aims to create a community where professionals can share, learn, and thrive.

Highlights from the session

• Shared experiences: Attendees openly discussed the realities of workload pressures and the impact on wellbeing.
• Practical strategies: Facilitators shared actionable tips for managing stress, prioritising tasks, and creating boundaries.
• Peer support: The roundtable reinforced the value of connecting with peers who understand the challenges of governance roles.

Looking ahead

Future sessions will continue to explore industry topics, workplace wellbeing, and opportunities for informal networking.