The United Kingdom (UK) is one of the world’s biggest economies and is attractive to global entrepreneurs. This article will show you how to register a company in the country and conduct business in its vast economy.
UK Company Registration: Why Is It a Good Idea?
- A robust economy. The UK has a gross domestic product (GDP) of over $3 trillion and continues to grow at a healthy rate.
- The latest World Bank UK is ranked 8th for ease of doing business.
- You can set up various types of company structures, depending on which one is easiest to manage and most tax-efficient.
- Tax incentives, subsidies, and other perks are available to domestic corporations.
- UK-based firms are respected globally by fellow businesses, customers, and suppliers.
A Variety of Options for UK Company Registration
Sole trader
A one-person business where the owner has unlimited liability, meaning they are personally responsible for losses or debts accrued by their firm.
Partnership
This is when two or more people agree to start a business and share the responsibility for managing it. The partners are personally liable for debts or other claims against their firm.
Limited Liability Partnership
It is a type of partnership where the owners are only liable for the amount of capital they invested in the corporation.
Limited Company
The enterprise has a distinct legal identity from its shareholders, meaning they aren’t personally responsible for debts accrued by it.
Private Company
A closely-held corporation controlled by a select group of shareholders.
Public Company
Shares of the corporation can be sold to the public on a stock exchange. These companies must provide regular financial reports and disclose business-related information to the public.
Registering Your UK Business Stress-Free
The steps to register a company in the UK include the following:
1. Choose a Company Structure
Select how you want your business to be structured from the abovementioned options.
2. Pick a Name
A name is the first thing that differentiates that sets you apart from the competition. Select a term that hasn’t been taken by another corporation — you can confirm this from the companies’ registry — or isn’t similar to an approved trademark. The name must also not contain vulgar language or suggest a relation to government or local authorities without proper permission.
3. Choose Shareholders, Directors, and a Secretary
Every UK-based corporate entity must have at least one shareholder and one director. Directors are responsible for managing the firm’s affairs, including filing financial and tax reports, setting strategy, and handling day-to-day operations. A shareholder is a part-owner and may be involved in day-to-day operations.
A company secretary is responsible for administrative affairs like taking meeting notes and advising the directors to comply with the law. This isn’t compulsory except for a public company.
4. Fill Application
You must fill a Form IN01, the application to register a corporation. This form demands information. Including:
- Proposed corporate name.
- Details on all directors, shareholders, and the secretary, including residential addresses and contact information.
- A registered office address.
- Statement of share capital.
- Memorandum of association: A document signed by all shareholders acknowledging their intention to register a firm.
- Articles of association: A document stating the firm's rules will be governed.
If you don’t want to go through this process by yourself, you can hire Osome to handle it and save you a lot of stress.
What Are the Best Entrepreneur Visas in the UK?
- Start-Up Visa: This Visa is open to people that want to set up an innovative business in the UK. You must show that your business is a new idea with growth potential.
- Innovator visa: Open to people that want to set up an innovative business in the UK. It requires endorsement from an approved endorsing body.
Conclusion
We have outlined the steps required to register a company in the UK. If you don’t want to go through the stress of following them yourself, you can enlist Osome to handle it.