A dealing request arrives. The market is open. But does that mean the trade can proceed?

For listed companies, securities dealing controls require more than announcing financial closed periods. Restrictions can also apply when undisclosed price-sensitive information exists. Company Secretaries help administer these rules, maintain policies, communicate restrictions and keep reliable records of requests and decisions.

The challenge: One request, several checks

Before a covered person deals, the relevant restrictions must be considered and any required clearance obtained from the chairman or designated director. The Company Secretary coordinates the process but is not the clearance authority. A request buried in an inbox or an outdated insider list can make an already sensitive process harder to manage.

Why manual dealing controls are risky

• Restriction periods may need communicating outside the usual reporting calendar.
• Clearance records can be scattered across messages and attachments.
• Notifications and disclosures require accurate information and timely coordination.

A connected approach to securities dealing oversight

UnifyToday's Governance and Company Secretarial solution supports this process through guided questionnaires, workflows and maintained registers.

• Guide each request: Capture the information needed to evaluate whether dealing may be restricted.
• Route approval correctly: Direct clearance requests to the appropriate authorised decision-maker.
• Communicate restrictions: Support notifications of relevant closed and prohibited periods.
• Maintain evidence: Keep records of requests, outcomes and relevant insiders.
• Support follow-up: Give the governance team a clearer view of outstanding dealing-related actions.

From informal approvals to a traceable process

Technology does not replace individual legal responsibilities or the required approval authority. It can, however, make the process easier to follow, document and oversee, helping Company Secretaries support a consistent control environment.