Registering a company correctly from the start prevents costly corrections later. A well-structured company formation goes beyond filing forms – it defines ownership, management, and the way your business will operate. The right structure and addresses ensure smoother banking, accounting, and compliance, giving your business a stable foundation from day one.
Types of Companies
Most trading businesses choose a private company limited by shares (Ltd) because liability is limited and ownership is easy to divide. However, the UK offers several legal structures, each designed for different purposes:
- Private company limited by shares (Ltd) – the most common structure for trading businesses. Shareholders’ liability is limited to the value of their shares, and ownership can be easily divided or transferred.
- Company limited by guarantee – typically used for charities, clubs, or not-for-profit organisations. There are no shares; members guarantee a nominal amount if the company is wound up.
- Limited liability partnership (LLP) – suited for professional practices or joint ventures. It combines partnership flexibility with limited liability for each member.
- Public limited company (PLC) – designed for businesses seeking to raise capital publicly. It requires a higher minimum share capital and stricter disclosure standards.
Choosing the right structure is more than a legal formality – it determines how profits are shared, how decisions are made, and who must appear on the public record. For a full comparison, see our detailed overview of types of business structures in the UK.
Company Formation Packages
To set up a limited company with Uniwide Formations, you must choose a company formation package that suits your needs. Every package includes the Companies House filing fee (paid on your behalf), a pre-submission review to minimise rejection risk, and delivery of digital incorporation documents through your secure client portal. Optional extras include introductions to banking partners and accountants, printed document sets, professional address services, and VAT registration.
- Basic – a streamlined setup covering the core legal elements required to obtain a company number and begin trading, with all digital documents included.
- Privacy – adds features that allow directors and PSCs to keep their home addresses off the public record, while including all standard incorporation documents.
- Advanced – the most popular option, combining core formation with registered office and service address features for privacy, plus VAT registration services.
- Premium – a complete, time-saving package that includes prepared registers, share certificates, and enhanced add-ons for a fully ready-to-trade setup.
- Non-Resident Package – designed for international founders, ensuring the correct address setup, documentation, and verification for a UK company with overseas owners or directors.
Selecting the right package from the start ensures your company’s documents, addresses, and records are correctly aligned with how you plan to trade, helping your business operate smoothly and remain compliant. For a detailed comparison, compare company formation packages.
Address Services for UK Company Formation
Three company addresses often cause confusion, as each serves a distinct legal and practical purpose:
Registered office – this is the company’s official address on the public register. It must be located in the same jurisdiction where the company is incorporated. You may use our registered office address if you want a reliable and compliant location for Companies House and HMRC correspondence.
Service address – this is the public address for directors, secretaries and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs). It can be anywhere in the world. A service address helps to keep your residential address private. You may use our director service address to protect privacy while remaining fully compliant.
Business address – this is used for everyday correspondence and customer contact. It does not replace the registered office. You may use our business address service for a professional image and secure mail handling.
A practical point often overlooked – banks and payment providers may ask for proof of your actual trading location, even if you use virtual addresses. Keep utility bills or a lease agreement for your operational site whenever possible.
During company formation, one of the key steps is deciding how ownership will be divided. In a limited company, ownership is represented by shares, which determine how profits, control, and voting rights are distributed among the shareholders. Many small companies begin with just one ordinary share of £1, owned by a single person. Where there is more than one founder, it is common to issue 100 shares so that ownership percentages can be divided more easily.
Some companies choose to create different types of shares – often called “A” and “B” shares – to allow for different voting or dividend rights. This can be useful where founders or investors have different roles or expectations.
Shares may be fully or partly paid, but in practice most small companies issue shares that are fully paid on incorporation. If you intend to bring in new investors or issue options later, ensure that your company’s Articles of Association allow it and that board resolutions are properly recorded.
Every company must keep its ownership records accurate. Details of shareholders and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) must be recorded in the statutory registers and filed with Companies House. Control does not depend only on the number of shares held – voting agreements or the right to appoint or remove directors can also amount to control.
Company Name and SIC Codes
Choosing the right name is one of the first and most visible steps in the formation of a company. A good company name should do more than simply pass the similarity check. It must avoid sensitive or restricted words, accurately reflect your business activity, and be clear for customers to understand. Trading names are permitted, but they are not displayed on the Companies House register and do not provide trade mark protection. Before announcing your brand, ensure that your chosen domain name, trade mark, and social media handles are consistent. You can use our tool to check a company name in the UK.
Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes are often overlooked, yet they play an important role. You may choose up to four codes and update them later if your business changes, but they still indicate your company’s activity to banks, payment providers, and insurers. Select the code that best reflects your main source of income rather than a possible future activity.
Ready to Form a Company?
Order your company formation today and build a solid foundation for growth. If you are unsure which options best fit your plan, share your intended activity and where your customers are – we will design a clear company structure and set-up so that your formation, records, and banking all align from day one.
You can start your company formation on our home page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to set up a limited company?
The cost of forming a limited company varies depending on the services you choose. Uniwide Formations’ packages start from £69 + VAT for a fully digital formation and go up to £199 + VAT for a more comprehensive package that includes address services, company registers and VAT registration.
Additional options, such as printed documents, a registered office or business bank account referrals, can be added if required. You can compare our company formation packages to find the best fit for your needs.
Why use a company formation agent?
Using a company formation agent makes the registration process faster, more accurate and fully compliant with Companies House requirements. An agent checks all details before submission, prepares statutory documents, and can provide useful extras such as address services, company registers and help with opening a business bank account.
This approach helps to avoid errors, delays and rejected applications. Learn more about the benefits of using a company formation agent and how Uniwide Formations can help you complete the incorporation process correctly from the start.
Form your company within 3 hours with our online service.