A common question people raise when forming a company is whether a director can also act as the company secretary. The answer to the question is "it depends".
Companies with One Director
If when forming a company there will be only one director (single director companies as they are known), then that same person can not also be the secretary. In this case another person or company would be required to fill the role of secretary.
More than One Director
In situations where there will be more than one company director, then one of these persons may also be the company secretary.
Using a Nominee Secretary
In is common for a sole director to employ the services of a nominee secretary in order to comply with the requirements not to have a single director also in the role as secretary.
Future Changes
From October 2008 UK companies will not longer be required to have a company secretary under the Companies Act 2006. This essentially annuls the issue of a director also acting as company secretary.