The UK's standard company
Limited Company Setup in the United Kingdom
The private company limited by shares is the UK default. The alternatives suit specific cases, and the choice is worth five minutes.
GCC business setup specialists
Ltd, LLP or neither
Most UK businesses incorporate as a private company limited by shares. An LLP suits professional partnerships; operating as a sole trader avoids filing but offers no liability separation. The right answer depends on who owns it and how profits are taken.
- Structure chosen on ownership and profit extraction
- Share classes set deliberately
- Directors’ duties explained, not assumed
20+
Mainland, free zone and offshore jurisdictions we file in — so the recommendation is based on your activity, not on which authority we happen to be registered with.
7,000+
Companies successfully established.
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Compare the structures
Ltd, LLP and the alternatives
They differ on liability, tax treatment and what becomes public.
| Structure | When it fits | Key feature |
|---|---|---|
| Private company limited by shares (Ltd) | Most businesses | Liability limited to unpaid share capital; profits taken as salary and dividends |
| Limited liability partnership (LLP) | Professional partnerships | Members taxed on their share of profits |
| Company limited by guarantee | Non-profit and membership bodies | No share capital; guarantors rather than shareholders |
| Public limited company (PLC) | Raising capital from the public | Minimum capital and heavier governance |
| Sole trader | Very small operations | No separate legal entity, no filing, no liability protection |
| UK establishment of an overseas company | An existing foreign company trading here | Not a separate company; the parent registers a presence |
Company law, tax treatment and filing requirements change. The right structure for you is confirmed in writing before incorporation.
How it works
Forming the company
Quick once the ownership and profit questions are settled.
01
Structure and shares
Who owns what, whether different share classes are needed, who directs it, and how profits will be taken. That decides Ltd against the alternatives.
02
Articles and incorporation
Model articles or bespoke where the shareholding requires it, then incorporation with a correct PSC register.
03
Registrations and calendar
Corporation Tax, VAT and PAYE where they apply, and your accounts and confirmation statement dates set.
Before you start
What forming a limited company needs
Have these settled and incorporation is quick.
- Proposed company name
- Director names, dates of birth and addresses
- Identity evidence for directors and PSCs
- Service address for each director
- Shareholder details and shareholding split
- Share capital and whether multiple classes are needed
- Persons with Significant Control details
- UK registered office address
- Articles of Association, model or bespoke
- Accounting reference date preference
- Intended trading activity
- Any shareholder agreement being prepared
Scope
What is included, and what is not
Stated plainly, so nothing is added once the engagement starts.
Included in the service fee
- Structure recommendation
- Company name availability check
- Articles of Association, model or bespoke
- Incorporation at Companies House
- Share classes set up as agreed
- PSC register completed correctly
- Corporation Tax registration
- Filing calendar for accounts and confirmation statement
Not included, quoted separately
- Companies House and HMRC fees, paid at cost
- Shareholder agreements, drafted by a solicitor
- Registered office address service
- Identity verification fees where charged
- Annual accounts preparation, quoted separately
- Payroll processing, quoted separately
- Legal advice on directors’ disputes
- Trademark registration
Verify independently
Official UK authorities
We file directly with these bodies on your behalf.
Companies HouseHM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)Intellectual Property Office (IPO)GOV.UK
Questions
UK limited company — FAQs
Ltd or LLP?
An Ltd suits most trading businesses and allows profits to be taken as salary and dividends. An LLP suits professional partnerships where members are taxed on their profit share. We settle it on how you will actually take money out.
How much share capital do I need?
There is no minimum for a private company limited by shares, and nominal capital is common. The number matters less than the share classes and who holds them.
What are directors’ duties?
UK directors have statutory duties, including to promote the company’s success and avoid conflicts. They apply from appointment, including to overseas directors, and ignorance is not a defence.
Do I need a shareholder agreement?
Not legally, but where there is more than one shareholder it is usually worth one. It is a solicitor’s document; we will tell you when you need it.
Can I change the share structure later?
Yes, though it involves filings and sometimes tax consequences. Setting classes correctly at incorporation is cheaper than restructuring.
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