Head of Legal and Company Secretary

Big things are happening at Topps Tiles. As Britain's largest specialist tile retailer, selling only the very best quality on–trend products, GBP1 of every GBP3 spent in the UK domestic tile market is spent with us. We've got 300 stores and have just hit record sales of GBP223m. And we're as big on career opportunities as we are on outstanding service and great value. After all, it's brilliant, friendly, knowledgeable people that make us special. Right now we're on a journey of exciting growth, as we build on seven consecutive years of success – there's never been a better time to join the Topps Tiles family.

We are currently looking for a Head of Legal and Company Secretary.

You will be a solicitor / barrister qualified to practice in England & Wales with considerable PQE, preferably with some prior in–house experience both in a legal capacity and some exposure to Company Secretarial functions at PLC and subsidiary company level. You will be comfortable working as a sole practitioner (with appropriate support from external lawyers) and enjoy the variety that this this brings.

The opportunity suits someone with a commercial approach who is looking for a position with the opportunity to provide a Legal and Company Secretariat service within a FTSE listed business. The role requires regular interaction with the PLC Board, the Executive Committee and other Group functions at all levels, as well as liaison with external lawyers on specific legal matters affecting the Group.

Legal Role

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer this broad Corporate/Commercial role offers exposure to a number of practice areas and will involve providing legal support to the Executive team, Heads of Departments and other colleagues within the organisation and will involve:–

• Providing timely and commercial legal advice and support on a range of retail and consumer issues including areas such as data protection, product liability, competition law, marketing, advertising and promotions, e–commerce, intellectual property, and ad hoc consumer and business queries that affect the business. For clarity, property law and employment are outsourced, and specialist corporate lawyers are retained.
• Assisting in the negotiation and drafting of commercial contracts for goods and services, distribution, agency, consultancy, supply standard terms and conditions, procurement and IT agreements and IP agreements including licences.
• Assisting the business in interpreting and complying with commercial legal agreements and legal requirements.
• Assisting the business in the protection and enforcement of its intellectual property rights.
• Providing support and advice to the Customer Services Department.
• Effectively manage the resolution of contract terminations and commercial disputes.
• Maintaining business awareness of legal requirements and developments, providing regular business updates and internal training in the key areas of consumer law, competition, data protection, Company Law, IP and other areas where appropriate.
• Leading the Company's processes and responses regarding GDPR.

Company Secretary Role

• Provide sufficient resource and support to Board Meetings, Board Committee Meetings (including minute taking and recording decisions).
• Provide appropriate support to the Chair of the Board, Chairs of the Committees and to Non– Executive Directors as required.
• Regularly review and make recommendations and ensure compliance with Board and Committee procedures and Terms of Reference
• Organise and prepare agendas and papers for annual general meetings (AGMs)
• Lodge required forms, annual returns and regulatory announcements with regulatory bodies in relation to PLC and Group Companies.
• Liaise with the Chairman of the Board , relevant Committee Chairs and other Board members to produce the Directors' Report and Corporate Governance Statement, and support with the creation of the Remuneration Report and where appropriate Remuneration Policy for the Annual Report.
• Ensure compliance with Statutory reporting requirements including MAR. Regularly review and maintain Insider Lists and the Company's Share Dealing Policy.
• Monitor changes in relevant legislation and the regulatory, corporate governance and best practice environment and report to relevant Board members and assist in taking appropriate action including the review of corporate policies and governance processes.
• In conjunction with other relevant departments, manage share option schemes.
• Take a role in share issues, mergers and takeovers.
• Monitor and update the Investor Section of the corporate website.

Skills

You will need to have:

• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• A diplomatic approach and the confidence to provide support to high–profile company staff and board members and the interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with people at all levels.
• Integrity and discretion when handling confidential information sound grasp of corporate governance issues.
• Attention to detail and a well–organised approach to work.
• The ability to prioritise work and to work well under pressure.
• The capability to work with numerical information, plus analytical and problem–solving skills.

In a culture where hard work is recognised and great results are rewarded, you can look forward to a company bonus that will give you a share of our success – up to 30% of your base salary. A car or car allowance will be provided, then there's a generous staff discount, Private medical, a Share Save scheme, pension and life assurance, a holiday allowance that increases with length of service and a wide range of other benefits. Plus flexible working, free on–site parking, generous discounts on products and services and more. A lot more. We're committed to promoting talent from within too, which means you'll be well–supported to build a rewarding career with an individual development plan and lots of training on offer.