Siphosihle Nongogo, CGISA Technical Manager
Introduction
In the age of rapid digital advancement, where professionals are in fear of being replaced by smart technologies, it is important that company secretaries continuously develop and upskill themselves. While the fundamental competencies of a company secretary remain unchanged, some core skills have emerged as essential for the jobs of tomorrow. Change is further exacerbated by emerging macrotrends that drive the transformation of the labour market. In the following article, I hope to dissect some of these macrotrends and the key skills company secretaries need to meet these developments.
Macrotrends driving labour market transformation
According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025[1] (“the Report”), increased digital access is expected to have the most impact on the labour market. Of the nine technologies listed in the Report, Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) and information processing technologies will have the greatest impact on the labour market from 2025 to 2030.
It is no secret that the deployment of AI is going to have real consequences for company secretaries. AI can compile minutes, prepare agendas and can be programmed with institutional knowledge to answer questions. However, whether it may compete with company secretaries in nuanced and complex decision-making remains unseen. Technology is expected to be the most divergent driver of labour-market change, with expanding digital access expected to both create and displace the greatest number of jobs[2].
The second biggest disruptor to the labour market is growing working-age populations. This macrotrend is expected to create nine million net jobs by 2030. Growing working-age populations are expected to be the key driver of jobs in education.
The climate change adaptation is the third-largest contributor to net growth in global jobs by 2030. Climate change adaptation entails businesses ramping up efforts and investments aimed at reducing carbon emissions. These changes have enabled green jobs to show resilience in recent years, with hiring rates remaining stable even during the pandemic-related disruptions of 2020.[3]
As the Report highlights, while some jobs will be created, others will be displaced. Considering this, it is important that company secretaries continually learn and develop to be of relevance to the market. While 170 million jobs are estimated to be created globally from 2025 to 2030, this growth is expected to be offset by the displacement of 92 million current jobs. The displacement of jobs depends largely on individuals’ ability to keep up with the skills required for the future.
The skills needed for the future
Considering the macrotrends above, some core skills are viewed as essential for the future workforce by employers. Analytical thinking is considered by employers to be the most important, with seven out of ten employers surveyed in the Report considering it as essential. In the context of advising directors and the board, this is particularly important, as directors deal with a myriad of complex issues. While AI can provide a preliminary breakdown, it sometimes lacks the contextual understanding required to make a sound decision. Considering this, company secretaries exhibit a particular advantage. Armed with technical knowledge and analytical thinking skills, they may be able to solve problems and guide boards accordingly.
Resilience, flexibility and agility rank second on the list of core skills for the workplace according to the Report. These skills are important because companies will invariably change. It is, therefore, important that company secretaries show agility and are resilient in adapting to these changes.
Leadership and social influence rank third as a required core skill. These qualities are important because, as senior employees of companies, company secretaries need to go beyond administrative duties to shape board decisions and foster trust between board members and relevant stakeholders.
The above skills can be acquired through continuous learning and development, enabling company secretaries to position themselves as leaders in the future workforce.
Despite its ranking as the 6th required core skill of the future, technological literacy requires a special mention for company secretaires. Of the skills listed in the Report, technological skills are the fastest growing in importance. Technological literacy includes having generative AI skills, which are currently in high demand. Technological literacy is important to meet the needs of the changing global labour market, as we increasingly see company secretaires working alongside smart technologies.
This can be seen in regions such as in the Middle East, where the first AI board member was appointed in 2023 in Abu Dhabi’s International Holding Company.[4] Further, company secretaries are increasing efficiencies and advising boards through the use of AI.
Conclusion
From the discussion above, it is apparent that the world is not stagnant. There are numerous changes and trends that promise to transform the global labour market as we know it. However, company secretaries are not powerless in the face of these developments. At best, AI will free up time for company secretaries to move away from administrative work and focus on more complex and strategic tasks. At worst, job displacements may occur as companies make use of smart technologies to streamline processes. Through continuous development, company secretaries can meet these changes with confidence, knowing that they have the skills to meet the demands of the future.
This article has demonstrated that trends such as broadening digital access, growing working-age populations and climate change adaptation are some of the biggest disruptors to the global labour market. Company secretaries must upskill and exhibit core skills to meet these challenges. These include analytical thinking, resilience, flexibility and agility and leadership and social influence. As senior employees of organisations, company secretaries must sharpen and effectively utilise these skills to go beyond administrative stewards to becoming strategic partners within their organisations.
[1] World Economic Forum (2025) Future of Jobs Report 2025. Geneva: World Economic Forum. Available at: WEF_Future_of_Jobs_Report_2025.pdf (Accessed: 07 May 2026).
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Kole, A., (2024) ‘A New Governance Paradigm is Necessary for AI-Powered Boards,’ Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance, 13 May. Available at: A New Governance Paradigm is Necessary for AI-Powered Boards (Accessed: 13 May 2026).
