Choose a Business Structure - Types of Limited Companies

You must choose a structure for your business. This structure will define your legal responsibilities, like:

• the paperwork you must fill in to get started
• the taxes you’ll have to manage and pay
• how you can personally take the profit your business makes
• your personal responsibilities if your business makes a loss

Types of business structures we offer

• Private Limited by Shares
  Limited by shares companies consist of director(s) and shareholder(s) and are the most common type of business structure used.
• Private Limited by Guarantee
  Limited by guarantee companies are typically non-profit organisations such as charities, sports associations and social enterprises.
• Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
  LLP companies are where each partner pays tax on their share of profits. Typically these are law firms.
• Reserve a Company Name
  You can secure a company name until you are ready to trade and we look after all statutory obligations and responsibilities of owning a limited company.
• Shelf Company
  Shelf companies are 'ready made’ companies that are already incorporated.
• Sole Trader (Currently Unavailable)
  As a sole trader, you usually work for yourself and are classed as self-employed.

Other types of structures we do not offer 

• Community Interest Company (CIC)
  CIC companies are for those who want to conduct a business or activity for community benefit. You can set up a CIC with Companies House.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC)
  An LLC company is the United States form of a private limited company. Therefore, you can set up a UK limited company instead.
• Flat Management Company
  Companies that are jointly run by residents, e.g., a block of flats. You can set up a flat management company with Companies House.
• Offshore Company
  An offshore company formation is the setting up of a company as a legal entity, incorporated in a tax haven which is free from all local taxes.
• Partnership
  A partnership business where two or more people share responsibilities. You can set up a partnership company with Companies House.
• Public Limited Company (PLC)
  PLC's can issue shares to the public. You can set up a PLC with Companies House. To find out how to set up a PLC contact Companies House.
• Umbrella company
  Umbrella companies employ temporary workers and enable them to carry out a number of short-term contracts of agencies and clients.