August 18
Nurturing diverse talent pipelines in governance with Diageo
Case Studies
Mary Bonsor
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The challenge: the Company Secretariat team at Diageo plc, a global leader in beverages, identified a gap: a need for fresh, high-calibre junior talent in their team.
Traditional recruitment methods would take too long, and the team sought individuals who were not just proficient, but also personable, professional, and truly aligned with Diageo’s deep-seated values of diversity, equity and social mobility.Their interest in Flex CoSec Trainee was encouraged by positive recommendations from the Diageo legal team, who had previously hosted a Flex Solicitor Trainee. The legal department gave "glowing praise," declaring it "a flexible solution that works.”
The solution
What they found was not just a recruitment agency, but a true partner. Flex CoSec Trainee presented a model that was, in a word, "fantastic." From the very beginning, the Flex team immersed themselves in Diageo’s world, taking the time to understand their unique culture and precise needs. They offered an unparalleled commitment to their candidates, evident in a robust mentoring and coaching framework, consistent check-ins, and an open line of communication that fostered a genuine sense of connection.A standout element was the "Readiness Programme", a three-week programme designed to equip all trainees with the practical skills, knowledge, and commercial awareness they need to thrive in a professional governance environment. Unlike the often impersonal traditional recruitment processes, the Readiness Programme ensured candidates were truly "workplace-ready." In the words of Julie Trundle, Head of Company Secretariat PLC at Diageo, "it creates open dialogue and ensures candidates are workplace-ready. Senior leaders in London were particularly impressed; it’s not something you get from a traditional recruitment process." This programme laid a solid foundation, equipping trainees with the tools and skills needed to hit the ground running.
The results
- 1 exceptional trainee ready to contribute from day one.
- 3 months of internal recruitment time saved.
- More time for senior team members to focus on strategic work.
Through Flex CoSec, Diageo gained access to a high-calibre aspiring company secretariat, rigorously vetted and chosen following a multi-stage selection process and equipped with practical skills via our Readiness Programme. All applicants of the Flex CoSec programme come from underrepresented backgrounds and non-traditional routes into governance, offering perspectives and potential that are often out of reach or overlooked in traditional recruitment. The time and resource savings were significant, which would have taken Diageo at least three months to recruit internally, Flex streamlined and delivered high-quality, well-matched candidates.
Vanessa was selected and quickly became a "valued member of the team." Her integration was seamless, marked by the "right attitude, behaviours, and initiative." She wasn't just there to learn; she was there to contribute.
“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 CoSecs!”
Vanessa Diaba, Flex CoSec Trainee at Diageo
Vanessa's contributions to Diageo's company secretariat function have been incredibly valuable. She has dove into major initiatives, reviewing and refreshing the governance section of the Annual Report with high-quality benchmarking. Her attention to detail and growing confidence are such that she has been able to constructively challenge colleagues when appropriate. She efficiently manages her workload, including project managing a complex agreement involving 290 parties, and played a pivotal role in the AGM, handling logistics and live shareholder questions. This efficiency has freed up senior CoSec professionals to focus on strategic, value-added work, knowing that junior tasks were expertly handled.
The ongoing support from the Flex CoSec team has been another stand-out feature of the scheme. Sophie, Flex Trainee Ambassador at Flex Legal, provided consistent guidance and reassurance. "Flex are constantly checking in to ensure both client and candidate are happy. That open flow is what makes it work," Julie Trundle, Head of Company Secretariat, noted. This constant, transparent feedback loop ensured that both Diageo and the trainees were always supported and satisfied.
“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
The partnership with Flex CoSec is a resounding success. It isn’t just about filling a role; but about nurturing talent, fostering diversity, and championing social mobility. Diageo feels a deep sense of pride in "supporting the next generation of governance professionals." As Julie summarised, "This experience has been so valuable – we couldn’t ask for more." Diageo has found its perfect blend, a flexible solution that truly works, leaving a lasting, positive impact on their team and their future.