Trust of Yours Since 2012
Navigate global expansion with leading UK corporate structuring specialists. From Companies House Limited (Ltd) setup to cross-border holding entities and UK Limited Partnerships, we deliver end-to-end corporate solutions.
Aligning your corporate structure with global tax efficiency, HMRC compliance, and multi-jurisdictional asset protection.
Capitalize on the Substantial Shareholding Exemption (SSE), Patent Box 10% rate, and full dividend exemptions to maximize earnings retention.
Design legal firewalls between UK operating companies and offshore holdings under robust English Common Law governance.
Utilize London’s international reputation as a neutral nexus for commercial expansion into European, US, and Commonwealth markets.
Choose the optimal corporate legal form for your market entry strategy and regulatory alignment.
| Entity Structure | Foreign Ownership | Liability Exposure | HMRC Tax Profile | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Limited Company (Ltd) | 100% Allowed | Limited to share capital | Standard Corporation Tax (19%-25%) | SMEs, Scale-ups & Global Subsidiaries |
| Public Limited Company (PLC) | 100% Allowed | Limited to share value | Standard Corporation Tax | Large Enterprises & Public Listings (£50k Min Capital) |
| UK Establishment (Branch) | 100% Foreign Parent | Parent Company Liable | UK Branch Profits Tax | Established Corporations Expanding Operations |
| Representative Office | 100% Foreign Parent | Parent Company Liable | N/A (Non-trading) | Market Research, Liaison & Public Relations |
A step-by-step statutory pathway from Companies House name clearance to HMRC compliance and ongoing corporate governance.
Check proposed company name against the Companies House register and trademarks.
Appoint at least one natural director (no UK residency restriction required).
Identify Persons with Significant Control (holding >25% voting shares or influence).
Define currency, share classes, and nominal value (e.g., 100 shares at £1.00 each).
Establish a legal UK physical address (England & Wales, Scotland, or NI).
Assign Standard Industrial Classification codes matching commercial activities.
Adopt Model Articles or draft customized corporate governance rules.
Execute electronic registration filing under the ECCTA regulatory framework.
Obtain Certificate of Incorporation containing the official UK Company Number.
Register for Corporation Tax and obtain Company Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR).
Evaluate VAT thresholds (£90k) and configure Making Tax Digital software.
Open Business Accounts with Tier-1 UK high street banks or EMI platforms.
Set up HMRC Pay As You Earn (PAYE) payroll and workplace pension compliance for UK employees.
Maintain statutory filings including annual Confirmation Statements and HMRC Tax Returns.
Consolidate subsidiaries, hold international real estate, and protect IP using the UK's highly advantageous international tax treaty network.
No withholding tax on UK outbound dividend distributions to global investors.
0% tax on gains from the sale of qualifying trading subsidiaries under SSE rules.
Holds shares, global IP rights & central treasury accounts.
Germany, Netherlands, France, US entities utilizing DTT protection.
Trading, logistics, e-commerce & customer-facing units.
Relocate overseas business entities directly into the UK corporate register without dissolving historical operational records, existing commercial contracts, or brand equity.
Current jurisdiction must legally permit outbound cross-border corporate re-domiciliation.
Formal confirmation confirming entity solvency and capacity to meet existing debts.
Satisfy standard UK KYC, ECCTA verification, and AML compliance checks.
Combining organizational flexibility with complete limited liability protection for professional service firms and investment managers.
UK LLPs enjoy tax pass-through status. Profits are assessed directly at the partner level (individual or corporate), eliminating double corporate taxation.
Designated partners are protected from personal liability concerning LLP operational liabilities or actions of other members.
UK Limited Partnerships (LPs) and Private Fund Limited Partnerships (PFLPs) designed specifically for Private Equity, Venture Capital, and Family Office investment pooling.
Streamlined governance regime removing capital contribution requirements for limited partners.
Flexible statutory mechanisms to structure carried interest, hurdle returns, and GP fee allocations.
Our legal and tax advisory team will review your business requirements and map out the optimal UK entity structure.
125 Old Broad Street, City of London, EC2N 1AR
+44 (0)20 7946 0123 / +44 (0)20 7946 0124
advisory@ukcorporate.co.uk