Executive liaison is the art and discipline of connecting governance obligations with leadership priorities.

It ensures that CEOs, board chairs, and senior executives receive timely, accurate, and actionable governance briefings.

It is not a courtesy; it is a strategic function that influences decisions at the highest level and safeguards compliance.

Without effective liaison, governance risks remain hidden, decisions slow down, and trust between legal and leadership erodes.

The Executive Liaisons station typically encompasses:

◼️CEO Briefings: Regular updates on compliance, governance deadlines, and strategic risks.

◼️Board Chair Coordination: Aligning agendas, resolutions, and procedural requirements.

◼️Regulator Engagement: Preparing executives for audits and compliance meetings.

◼️Stakeholder Mapping: Understanding decision-makers’ priorities and communication styles.

◼️Governance Messaging: Translating complex legal obligations into clear executive summaries.

◼️Crisis Communication: Managing sensitive governance issues discreetly and effectively.

◼️Documentation Protocols: Recording briefings and action items for accountability.

The Executive Liaisons station is considered a Specialist resource within the GLS Legal Operations model.

A Foundational Resource: Is responsible for determining the overall performance capabilities of a “critical” legal function. If it is not optimised, the function can never be optimised. 

A Repeater Resource: Supports the performance of multiple "critical" legal functions and as such represents a "ripple effect" productivity intervention point. 

A Specialist Resource: Is responsible for driving the performance of a very specific part of an individual legal function. Its productivity contribution is limited to that single legal function. . 

The best practice features of Executive Liaisons are as follows:

◼️Structured Briefing Framework: Clear, concise updates tailored for senior audiences.

◼️Accuracy and Timeliness: Verified information delivered before decisions are made.

◼️Discretion and Confidentiality: Protecting sensitive governance discussions.

◼️Influence and Diplomacy: Building trust through professional engagement.

◼️Stakeholder Mapping: Understanding executive priorities and adapting communication.

◼️Crisis Preparedness: Protocols for urgent governance issues and regulator interactions.

◼️Documentation Discipline: Recording key points and decisions for governance integrity.

◼️Soft Skills Training: Negotiation and influence techniques for high-stakes conversations.

The Executive Liaisons station delivers the following value to the Business:

◼️Strategic Alignment: Ensures governance obligations are factored into leadership decisions.

◼️Risk Mitigation: Prevents compliance failures by surfacing issues early.

◼️Decision Efficiency: Speeds approvals through clear, pre-meeting briefings.

◼️Stakeholder Confidence: Builds trust with regulators, investors, and senior leadership.

◼️Reputation Protection: Demonstrates governance maturity at the highest level.

Executive liaison elevates the legal team’s role from reactive compliance to strategic advisory.

It reduces governance surprises and last-minute escalations.

It strengthens collaboration between legal and leadership, embedding governance into decision-making.

It positions the legal function as a trusted partner rather than a procedural bottleneck.

The Executive Liaisons station is essential for:

◼️General Counsel and Legal Operations teams.

◼️Board members and senior executives.

◼️Compliance officers and governance professionals.

◼️Shareholder relations teams.

A legal team operating without Executive Liaisons will face a wide range of inefficiencies including:

◼️Missed Deadlines: Governance obligations overlooked due to poor communication.

◼️Strategic Misalignment: Decisions made without considering compliance implications.

◼️Regulatory Surprises: Executives blindsided during audits or regulator meetings.

◼️Investor Distrust: Weak governance signalling undermines confidence.

◼️Operational Friction: Misunderstandings between board and management slow progress.

Executive liaison is primarily a human skill but supported by technology for documentation and scheduling.

Secure communication platforms and governance dashboards enhance transparency and accountability.

Technology ensures that liaison activities are recorded, tracked, and integrated into governance workflows.

People Also Ask (PAA) Questions

1. Who does the company secretary report to?

Usually the board chair or CEO, depending on the governance framework.

2. Is executive liaison a legal duty?

Not explicitly, but it is implicit in the company secretary’s statutory responsibilities.

3. How often should a company secretary meet with the CEO?

At least monthly in a formal setting, with informal touchpoints as needed.

4. What happens if the board and executives don’t communicate well?

Poor alignment, slow decisions, and weakened governance integrity.

5. How should a company secretary prepare for a CEO meeting?

With a clear agenda, relevant documents, and concise talking points.

6. Should all liaison be in writing?

Not necessarily, but key points and decisions should be documented.

7. Should liaison be formal or informal?

Both - formal for record-keeping, informal for trust-building.

8. How can a company secretary build credibility with executives?

By being accurate, prepared, and solutions-focused in all interactions.

9. What skills are essential for effective executive liaison?

Negotiation, diplomacy, influence, and governance expertise.

10 .Why should Legal Ops prioritise executive liaison?

Because governance failures caused by poor communication are costly and reputationally damaging.

Visit each Station on this Line for in-depth analysis of what it takes to make this in-house function really perform. Or you can go back to the overall GLS Legal Transformation Tube Map. 

In most cases, the GLS Legal Operations Centre contains everything you need to effectively optimise this key function yourself – or feel free to reach out to us – and we can help you.