Register a UK company online today.

A 'company' is a legally recognised entity formed by individuals to engage in and operate a business. These may be structured and organised in different ways (depending on the nature of that business and its objectives) for different tax and liability purposes, depending on the laws of the jurisdiction it operates within.

Subsequently, there are several different kinds of companies that can be created in the UK - where each entity must be 'registered' or 'incorporated' (or 'formed') at Companies House to help ensure the business operates within UK law. How you set up your business depends on what sort of work you do and can affect the way you pay tax or even get funding.

There are four 'standard' types of company structure in the UK;

• A Private Company Limited by Shares
• A Private Company Limited by Guarantee
• A Private Unlimited Company
• A Public Limited Company (PLC)

 

There are also a handful of more specific, 'non-standard' limited company types that can be formed in the UK with particular structures suited to entities with particular business models, namely;

• Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP)
• Community Interest Companies (CIC)
• Right to Manage Companies (RTM)
• Societas Europaeas (SE)

 

If you contact the friendly experts at Murphy Thompson Moore LLP, we can advise which kind of company that you wish to register will most suit your particular needs.  We've provided handy summaries below of the most usual kinds of Company we incorporate and have been forming on behalf of Clients since 1995.

A Limited Company is one in which the liability of the members or subscribers is limited to what they have invested or guaranteed to the company. This is as opposed to a sole trader who is personally liable for any debts etc.

Limited companies can be found in most countries, although the detailed rules governing them vary widely.

UK Limited Companies are registered at Companies House, who also control which company names can and cannot be used along with any restricted wording.

Private Companies Limited by Shares are usually businesses that seek to make a profit with an ownership defined by Share Capital (i.e. it has 'Shares' and 'Shareholders'). The liability of each member is limited to the amount (if any) unpaid on their share(s).

A private company cannot offer its shares for sale to the general public and shareholders of private companies limited by shares are often bound to offer the shares to their fellow shareholders prior to selling them to a third party.

The 'company' is viewed as a separate legal entity to the people who run or 'own' it and so, has separate finances from the personal ones of the shareholders or employees.

The company can keep any profits it makes after paying tax and can 'share' this post-tax profit out amongst it's shareholders in the form of a 'dividend'.

Things to be aware of when setting up a new Private Company Limited By Shares include:

- You must choose a suitable, inoffensive, unique company name that should usually end in 'Limited' or 'Ltd'
- You should appoint at least one Director who will be legally responsible for running the company and ensuring the neccessary reports and company accounts and properly prepared and submitted
- Choose at least one shareholder (This person can be a director)
- You must identify people with significant control over your company (e.g. anyone with voting rights or 25% or more of the company shares)
- Prepare a 'memorandum of association' and 'articles of association' that show how you agree to run your company
- Make sure you know all the company records and accounting records you need to keep
- Statutory Accounts must be prepared and filed as required
-An Annual Return must be filed with Companies House confirming the structure of the company

If you'd like to form a Private Company Limited by Shares now, simply click our £14 Digital Pack or £65 Print Service to begin the speedy application process - authorised through Companies House. With our easy-to-follow process and advice on hand for Clients, you can efficiently incorporate your new company smoothly and quickly with Murphy Thompson Moore LLP.

A Private Company Limited by Guarantee is a distinct legal entity from its owners’ and is responsible for its own debts.The personal finances of the company's guarantors are protected. They will only be responsible for paying company debts up to the amount of their guarantees.

A company limited by guarantee does not usually have a share capital or shareholders, but instead has members who act as guarantors. The guarantors give an undertaking to contribute a nominal amount (typically very small) in the event of the winding up of the company.

It is common practice for guarantee companies to retain their profits within the company in order to reinvest in its operations rather than distribute the profits to their members.

Unlike a company limited by shares, a guarantee company has no share capital or shareholders.

NUMBER OF DIRECTORS: Minimum of 1 director

SECRETARY REQUIRED: Not compulsory, but advised due to secretarial responsibilities

SHAREHOLDERS: No shareholders, but members acting as guarantors

CORPORATE OFFICERS: Permitted as additional director(s)

OTHER VALUABLE INFORMATION:

Companies limited by guarantee are widely used for charities, community projects, clubs, societies and other similar bodies. Most guarantee companies are not-for-profit companies - that is, they do not distribute their profits to their members but either retain them within the company or use them for some other purpose.

Limited companies can be found in most countries, although the detailed rules governing them vary widely. UK Limited Companies are registered at Companies House, who also control which company names can and cannot be used along with any restricted wording.

If you'd like to form a Private Company Limited by Guarantee now, simply click here to begin the speedy application process - authorised through Companies House.

A Limited Liability Partnership offers the individuals who own it, the benefits of operating as a partnership but with the protection of limited liability.

LLPs combine the benefits of corporate status and unlimited capacity, with the protection of limited liability for members and the ability to operate and be taxed as a partnership.

Quick points about LLPs:

• An LLP is formed by two or more persons carrying on a lawful business, with a view to profit and subscribing to the incorporation document LL IN01
• In LLPs, one partner is not responsible or liable for another partner's misconduct or negligence.
• Members will simultaneously enter into an LLP agreement, which will remain private and not be added to the public record.
• LLP's are not available for charitable activities and it is not possible to convert an existing company to an LLP

NUMBER OF DIRECTORS: Minimum of 2 ‘designated members’
SECRETARY REQUIRED: Not required
SHAREHOLDERS: LLP companies have members not shareholders
CORPORATE OFFICERS: Permitted as an additional member

If you'd like to form a Limited Liability Partnership now, simply click here to begin the speedy application process - authorised through Companies House.

A public company has a Share Capital and limits the liability of each member to the amount they have invested. It may offer its shares to the general public and may be quoted on the Stock Exchange.

• The company must have PLC at the end of the name
• Minimum Share Capital £50,000 of which 25% must be paid prior to obtaining a Trading Certificate
• Minimum of 2 Directors
• Must have a qualified Company Secretary
• An Annual General Meeting must be held to present and approve the company accounts and elect directors, etc.

If you'd like to form a Public Limited Company (PLC) now, simply click here to begin the speedy application process - authorised through Companies House.

A Flat Management company is usually formed to manage a property or a part of a property. It is a type of company Limited by shares that has been set up to provide specific benefits relating to the management of a property.

Why would I use a Flat Management Company?

Property management companies are used to manage the whole or parts of a site or building on behalf of its owners.

They are the most commonly used for residential flats but can be used for commercial or industrial purposes – unlike a landlord owning several flats they can be limited by shares and taxed as a company, not an individual.

NUMBER OF DIRECTORS:           The number of directors equates to the number of units or flats within a block.
SECRETARY REQUIRED:              Not compulsory, but advised due to secretarial responsibilities
SHAREHOLDERS:                         Minimum of 1 share per flat or leaseholder
CORPORATE OFFICERS:              Permitted as additional director(s) or corporate owners

MTM can provide tailor-made property management companies with suitable articles of association for every circumstance.  Every draft provides for the automatic transfer of membership when dwellings or unit holders change. If required, we can also provide weighted voting rights in favour of any developers to allow them to retain effective control of the company until every flat or united is sold.

Flat/Property Management Companies also simplify the process of working with Right-to-Management agreements.

RTM companies were introduced under the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002.

They are private companies Limited by Guarantee, enabling leaseholders in blocks of apartments to take over the management of their building. There are constitutional rules which apply to this type of company.

Please note RTM's do not exist in Scotland or Northern Ireland. The Department of Communities and Local Government is responsible for RTM companies in England. Murphy Thompson Moore have particular expertise with this type of company.

Right to Manage or RTM must be within the title. name
Bespoke Articles are required.

Whilst we do not allow the formation of RTM companies online, with decades of experience helping Clients, Murphy Thompson Moore LLP can help make the process of forming a Flat Management Company efficient and effective. Call them on 0161 835 2080 or register for assistance here.

Formation of group or associated companies have specific requirements and can have important tax consequences for the associated companies.

MTM can assist with developing the corporate structure most suited to your (or your clients) requirements. We will also liaise with Companies House to take account of any similar names or sensitive word issues.

We can advise you on the most suitable timing and the Registrar's requirements to ensure successful formation of the required group structure.We can also provide detailed advice on the appropriate capital structure and make you aware of any regulatory requirements affecting your proposal.

Call us on 0161 835 2080 or register for assistance here.

A Community Interest Company (CIC) is a limited company, with special additional features, created for the use of people who want to conduct a business or other activity for community benefit, and not purely for private advantage.


The CIC is a vehicle designed for ‘social enterprises’ which want to use their profits and assets for the public good. CIC’s will report to the regulator on how they are involving stake holders and their activities


This type of company can be adopted by a range of social enterprises and ‘not-for-profit’ projects serving communities throughout the UK, which combine the pursuit of a social purpose with commercial activities.


An organisation must choose whether it wishes to register as a CIC or a registered charity. CIC’s are more lightly regulated than a charity, but do not have the benefits of charity status even if the nature of their activities appear to be charitable in nature.


TYPES OF CIC COMPANIES:        CIC Limited by Shares. CIC Limited by Guarantee. PLC CIC

NUMBER OF DIRECTORS:            Minimum of 1  (min 2 for Guarantee and PLC)

SECRETARY REQUIRED:              Not compulsory (required for PLC)

SHAREHOLDERS:                          Minimum of 1

CORPORATE OFFICERS:              Permitted as an additional director

The CIC Regulator must approve applications to form a CIC and has a continuing monitoring and enforcement role. A company cannot become a CIC if it is, or intends to be, a political party or a political campaigning organisation (or a subsidiary of either). In addition, a CIC cannot be a charity.


CIC’s cannot be registered electronically and registrations take approximately 10-14 days to incorporate. Call us on 0161 835 2080 or register for assistance here.