Ready to Form Your Company?

Here's Your Complete Setup Checklist

Starting a new business is exciting, but the company formation process can feel overwhelming. Whether you're forming a company to secure your ideal business name or you have a detailed business plan ready to launch, the steps for setting up a limited company remain the same.

This comprehensive guide ensures you have everything you need at your fingertips to get your company registered quickly and correctly with Companies House.

1. Registered Office Address

What it is: Your company's official legal address where all government correspondence will be sent.

Requirements:

  • Must be a complete postal address in the UK

  • Cannot be a PO Box number

  • Will appear on public record at Companies House

  • Used by Companies House and HMRC for all official communications

Your Options:

  • Use your home address (but this becomes publicly visible)

  • Use your business premises (if you have them)

  • Use a professional business address service (recommended for privacy and credibility)

Why choose a professional address service? At Mail & Co, we provide registered office services that keep your personal address private while giving your business a professional image. Our addresses are fully compliant with Companies House requirements and come with mail handling services to ensure you never miss important correspondence.

2. Business Activity (SIC Code)

What it is: A Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code that describes what your company does.

What you need to provide:

  • Choose the SIC code that best matches your business activities

  • You can select multiple codes if your business operates in different areas

  • This helps Companies House and HMRC understand your business type

How to find your SIC code:

  • Use the official SIC code search tool on the Companies House website

  • Choose the most specific code that matches your main business activity

  • Common examples: 82990 (Other business support activities), 70229 (Management consultancy other than financial management)

Tip: Don't worry about getting this perfect – you can change your SIC codes later if your business evolves.

3. Company Director Details

Who can be a director:

  • Must be at least 16 years old

  • Can be the same person as the shareholder

  • At least one director must be a natural person (not a company)

Information required:

  • Full legal name

  • Date of birth

  • Occupation

  • Nationality

  • Residential address (kept private, not on public record)

  • Service address (appears on public record)

Privacy protection: Your residential address stays completely private. The service address (which appears publicly) can be your business address, registered office, or a professional service address to maintain your privacy.

4. Shareholder Information

What you need to know:

  • Every company needs at least one shareholder

  • Shareholders own the company through their shares

  • The director and shareholder can be the same person

Details required for each shareholder:

  • Full legal name

  • Date of birth

  • Residential address (private)

  • Service address (public record)

  • Nationality

  • Number of shares they will own

  • Security details (acting as digital signature):

    • First three letters of mother's maiden name

    • First three letters of father's first name

    • First three letters of town of birth

5. Person with Significant Control (PSC)

What this means: Anyone who has significant influence over your company must be registered as a PSC.

You're a PSC if you:

  • Own more than 25% of shares

  • Have more than 25% of voting rights

  • Can appoint or remove directors

  • Have significant influence over the company

Additional information needed for PSCs:

  • All the standard shareholder details (above)

  • Nature of control (e.g., "holds more than 50% but less than 75% of shares")

6. Company Secretary (Optional)

Do you need one? Private limited companies are not required to have a company secretary, but you can appoint one if you wish.

What they do:

  • Help with legal and administrative duties

  • Ensure compliance with company law

  • Handle statutory filings and records

If you choose to appoint a secretary:

  • Must be at least 16 years old

  • Can be a director of the company

  • Same personal details required as for directors

  • Can use a service address for privacy

Additional Considerations for Your Company Formation

Share Capital

  • Decide how many shares to issue (can be as little as £1)

  • Determine the value of each share

  • Consider future investment and ownership plans

Company Name

  • Check availability on Companies House WebCHeck

  • Ensure it's not too similar to existing companies

  • Avoid restricted words that need approval

  • Consider trademark implications

Articles of Association

  • Use standard model articles or create bespoke ones

  • Define how your company will be run

  • Set out shareholder and director rights

Why Choose Professional Support?

Setting up a company involves multiple legal requirements and potential pitfalls. Professional support ensures:

✅ Compliance with all legal requirements
✅ Privacy protection for your personal information
✅ Professional image with business addresses
✅ Ongoing support for statutory requirements
✅ Expert guidance on structure and planning

Ready to Get Started?

At Mail & Co, we're expanding our services to include comprehensive company formation support alongside our established business address services. We understand that starting a business involves many moving parts, and we're here to make the process as smooth as possible.

Our company formation services include:

  • Complete Companies House registration

  • Professional registered office addresses

  • Privacy protection services

  • Ongoing compliance support

  • Expert guidance throughout the process

Already have an established business? Our business address services can enhance your professional image and provide the flexibility you need as you grow.