Expert Company Secretary Support

If your governance standards are falling short of your requirements and your ambition, please contact us today to request a free consultation and quotation.

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Proven Results. Trusted by Australian Boards.

For more than 10 years, we have supported leadership teams across Australia and internationally with key governance challenges, including compliance, risk, board structure and company secretarial support. The outcome? Strong client relationships and partnerships that last.

150+

Over 150 board meetings as a Compnay Secretary

100%

Outstanding levels of client satisfaction

10+

10+ years of experience

Does your Board Governance lack Ownership?

Many NFPs without a dedicated company secretary often lack clear ownership of board governance, which can result in chaos and serious consequences for the organisation, particularly in the longer term. In that scenario, we often observe:

Poorly constructed board papers which are too long and delivered too late.

Difficulty in ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory obligations, increasing the risk of penalties or reputational damage.

Minutes are not properly drafted and fail to accurately record the discussions, decisions, and actions from the meeting. As a result, they may not provide directors with a dependable record for legal defence purposes.

Deployment of unchecked AI for board governance matters, while neglecting essential guardrails, creating significant risks to confidentiality and reputation.

Ineffective meeting management, often leading to lengthy discussions without clear outcomes or actionable items.

Challenges in tracking and following up on action items, resulting in missed opportunities and unfulfilled commitments.

Poor communication between board members and management, causing delays in decision-making and implementation of strategic initiatives.

The Solution

Company Secretary as a Service

While these negative outcomes and consequences can seem overwhelming, they can be effectively addressed through robust board governance overseen by a competent company secretary, who is accountable to the board through the chair.

Qualified Support

Independant Advice

Without the Overhead

However, many not-for-profit organisations lack the resources to employ a qualified company secretary on a full-time or even a part-time basis.

‍Company Secretary as a Service (or ‘Fractional Company Secretary’) can offer these essential services efficiently and effectively, at a significantly lower cost.

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What We Provide

We can offer Company Secretary as a Service at a fixed price, thereby assisting with planning and providing fee certainty.

The scope of our services is determined by a range of factors, including the number of board meetings, the number of sub-committee meetings, and regulatory complexity.

While we will tailor a package to suit your specific needs, Company Secretary as a Service would typically include the following:

Board Administration

Preparation of annual Board workplan and calendar
Preparation of Board agendas and working papers
Attending Board meetings, and preparing minutes
Assisting with managing actions arising from Board meetings
Coordinating out-of-session decisions, including preparation of supporting documents
Assisting with the review of existing Board policies and procedures
Maintaining your Conflict-of-Interest Register
Assisting with the induction of new directors

AGM Administration

Coordinating the AGM process
Preparation of the AGM agenda, notice and supporting documents
Coordinating director elections as part of the AGM process

Board Sub-Committee Administration

Preparation of board sub-committee agendas and working papers
Attending board sub-committee meetings, and preparing minutes
Assisting with managing actions arising from board sub-committee meetings
Coordinating out-of-session decisions, including preparation of supporting documents

External Reporting

Keeping ASIC or ACNC records up to date
Managing the ACNC Annual Information Statement process

Our Simple Process

Working with us is straightforward. We take the time to understand your organisation, provide practical advice, and deliver ongoing support tailored to your needs.

Get in touch

Reach out to discuss your governance, compliance or company secretary requirements. We'll learn about your organisation and how we can help.

Free consultation

Meet with us for an obligation-free consultation to discuss your goals, challenges and the right solutions for your organisation.

Ongoing support

From board meetings and compliance to strategic governance advice, we're here to provide reliable, ongoing support as your organisation grows.

About us

In Capable Hands

Vanguard is led by Quentin Crombie (Managing Director), who has over 25 years of experience working in both commercial and not-for profit sectors, in Australia and Europe.

Quentin is highly qualified, is an FCPA, FGIA, GAICD, and holds tertiary qualifications in economics, governance, accounting, and is currently completing a Master of Business Law.

With a portfolio of long-term, satisfied clients, Quentin is widely respected for his dedication and commitment to excellence.

He is also well networked and connected across multiple industries and sectors, with experience working with both large international and small local organisations.

Quentin is ably supported by a team of skilled professionals, who are appropriately qualified to assist with the smooth delivery of Company Secretary as a Service.

“We combine strong technical expertise with the ability to exercise sound judgment under pressure, helping ensure decisions stand up to scrutiny long after they are made.”

Hear from our highly satisfied clients

Hear what our clients have to say about working with us. Real stories from real partnerships that delivered results.

"Having worked with Vanguard International in multiple capacities over the years, Quentin’s contribution is always of a high standard. He brings a rare and exceptional balance of governance, legal, and accounting knowledge which helps elevates both board performance and organisational confidence. What genuinely sets Quentin apart as a company secretary is his responsiveness, calm under pressure, and meticulous attention to detail. He stays ahead of evolving regulatory landscapes, which ensures compliance is never an afterthought but embedded in our processes. I appreciate the clarity, reliability, and professionalism which Quentin consistently provides, as it creates the kind of support every board and business should have."

Ainsley Simpson

Chief Executive Officer, Seamless

"Working alongside Vanguard International has been an invaluable partnership experience. They have a deep understanding of corporate governance, compliance, and regulatory requirements, and a commitment to deliver value to their clients.

Vanguard’s proactive approach to identifying and addressing governance gaps, together with being able to effectively communicate complex information to both the board and senior management, helps to consistently deliver improved performance for their clients. Vanguard is ably lead by Quentin. His attention to detail is meticulous, and his professionalism, and commitment to excellence are genuinely outstanding.

I highly recommend Vanguard International to any organisation seeking a skilled and reliable company secretary, or expert governance advice."

James Natsis

CEO, Director

"Quentin is a highly disciplined and skilled professional who brings exceptional structure and rigor to board operations. His deep expertise in governance mechanics ensures the chair and board are supported with both efficiency and precision, facilitating seamless decision-making and compliance.

Beyond his technical acumen, Quentin's professionalism, ability to anticipate governance challenges and willingness to work collaboratively to solve those challenges means Quentin is an invaluable asset when it comes to helping boards navigate complex governance landscapes with confidence.

For any organization seeking a knowledgeable, reliable, and strategic board company secretary, I strongly recommend Quentin. His balanced approach to governance—combining technical proficiency with strong interpersonal skills—adds significant value to any boardroom environment."

Kylie Hargreaves

Chair - Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity (A2EP)

Deputy Chair - Regional Development Australia (Sydney)

Director - Hargreaves International Pty Ltd

"I run an industry association in a fast changing environment, and needed help with board evolution and my own role as Company Secretary. I was fortunate to have been acquainted with Quentin as he was starting Vanguard and he has been a trusted advisor to me for several years now. He is flexible to fill the gaps as required and then rigorous and precise in his delivery. I would highly recommend Quentin to anyone seeking governance advice, company secretariat support, or simply a reliable expert for second opinions. I have already recommended him to others who have benefited from his expertise, and they have, in turn, recommended Quentin’s support to their contacts, so get into his books if you can. Quentin is the most reliable partner for your business that you could find."

Dr Fiona Simon

CEO, Australian Hydrogen Council

FAQs

Find answers to your most pressing questions about our services and expertise. Still have questions? Get in touch, we'd love to hear from you.

What is a Company Secretary as a Service?

Company Secretary as a Service (sometimes called a Fractional Company Secretary) provides organisations with access to experienced governance professionals on an outsourced basis. Rather than employing an in-house company secretary, your organisation receives specialist governance support tailored to its needs and budget.

Who is this service designed for?

Our service is particularly suited to not-for-profit organisations, charities, associations, and member-based organisations that require professional governance support but do not have the workload or resources to justify a full-time company secretary. It can also benefit organisations experiencing governance growth, regulatory change, or board capability challenges.

Why can't an Executive Assistant or member of management perform the role?

While many organisations allocate governance responsibilities to existing staff, the company secretary is a statutory officer of the company with significant responsibilities. An experienced company secretary provides independent governance advice to the board, helps manage compliance obligations, and ensures governance processes are fit for purpose.

Can you act as our official Company Secretary?

Yes. Where appropriate, a member of our team can be appointed as the official Company Secretary of your organisation. As required by law, the company secretary must be a natural person rather than a corporate entity.

What services are typically included?

Our services are tailored to each client’s needs, but commonly include board and committee administration, agenda and board paper preparation, minute-taking, action item management, governance advice, conflict-of-interest register management, AGM coordination, director induction support, and ASIC or ACNC compliance administration.

How much does Company Secretary as a Service cost?

We typically provide services on a fixed-fee basis, giving organisations greater certainty over governance costs. Pricing depends on factors such as the number of board and committee meetings per year, reporting requirements, organisational complexity, and the level of support required.

Will you help improve the effectiveness of our board meetings?

Absolutely. Effective governance is about much more than taking minutes. We help improve the quality of agendas, board papers, decision-making processes, meeting outcomes, and follow up actions, enabling boards to focus on strategy and oversight rather than administration.

How is your service different from governance software or AI tools?

Technology can be valuable, but governance still requires professional judgement, independence, and expertise. We combine modern tools with experienced governance oversight, ensuring that board processes, records, compliance obligations, and sensitive information are managed appropriately and with suitable safeguards.

How quickly can we get started?

Most organisations can be onboarded quickly. Following an initial consultation, we assess your governance requirements, review existing documentation and processes, and develop a tailored service package that aligns with your board calendar and reporting obligations.

Is the Company Secretary an officer of the company?

Yes. Under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), the company secretary is classified as an officer of the company. This means they have similar legal duties to directors, including the responsibility to act in the company's best interests, exercise care and diligence, and act in good faith.

Take the Next Step Toward Expert Company Secretary Support

Ensure your board has the structure, guidance and support needed to operate effectively. We provide practical company secretary and governance solutions tailored to the unique needs of Australian organisations.

Articles & resources

Stay informed with the latest governance updates, industry insights and practical advice to help your organisation navigate evolving compliance and board responsibilities.

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Quentin Crombie

August 20, 2026

Registered Charities – Related Party Transactions

Did you know that related party transactions are not prohibited, but they do need to be identified, managed and disclosed properly?

Quentin Crombie

August 20, 2026

An Independent Company Secretary

Did you know that the independence of the company secretary can make a real difference to board effectiveness and governance quality?

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Get in touch

For further information, please contact us.

admin@vanguardinternational.com.au

Featherstone Place, Adelaide, SA 5000

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