Zaraki KenpachiIt is never easy to set up a business. Everything from the competitive business environment to challenging legal details can be discouraging. However, with the proper preparation and understanding of the process, anyone can start and grow a successful business. All this begins by first understanding the different steps that go into creating a limited company. It is vital to get it right from the start, especially if you are in the UK. What works for the UK may not necessarily be similar to other regions of the world. Below are five simple steps that will come in handy when starting any business in the UK.
1. Choose the Shareholders and Owners
Have you considered setting up a limited company UK authorities would approve and are wondering where to start? First, you need to understand the people you will be partnering with within your journey. Once you conceive the idea in your mind, the following quick step is to figure out the people you want to be part of the dream. Note that limited companies need all directors and stakeholders to be registered and involved from the inception if it is to be recognized as a legal entity. Fortunately, you are not restricted to sticking with people you start with.
There is always the possibility of adjusting the list later when you proceed. However, in the beginning, you must have a list of directors and stakeholders when registering. As such, your mind should quickly come up with like-minded people you can walk this journey with. When it comes to selecting directors, remember that limited companies require at least one director to begin with.
2. Choose a Great Company Name
Part of setting up a limited company requires a legal company name that the business will identify. Note that the business name serves as the identity that the business will use. Every transaction happening through the industry will be linked to this name. Business owners are advised to think carefully when selecting a name since it may influence their brand and general outreach. A wrong choice of a business name can be detrimental to future business growth.
Besides this, you also need to search and be sure that the name you settle for does not exist already. Some people have attracted avoidable suits because they did not carry out thorough name searches. The last thing you want is to start dealing with legal battles for your negligence.
Consult experts if you feel stuck since choosing the right name can open more doors and opportunities. However, if you have limited funds and are unsure about the character when opening the company, rest assured that you will change it in the future. Such a possibility makes it easy for new business owners to adjust their business goals to accommodate future needs. Even though, select a name that you will be proud of, especially when sharing your business cards with prospective business clients.
3. Choose your Business Operation Status
Businesses can either be private or public entities when registered as limited companies. It is at this point that you want to select your status. Each status is an independent legal entity with certain rights and responsibilities. Understand what roles each of the classes represent before choosing what you want your company to be identified as. Research and inquire about how much involvement each of the arrangements offers stakeholders and owners.
In most cases, the public and private entities have defined funding and participation roles. Depending on what you envisioned and how you intend to run the business even in the future, your decision must be objective and futuristic. There will be different challenges in both cases as you continue to grow the business. Having defined the company’s operational mode or business makes it easy to tackle such issues in the future.
4. Gather Relevant Documents
Once some of the crucial decisions are out of the way, focus on the actual registration process. This involves a few verification steps starting with gathering the correct documents. Supply the Companies House with all the required documents. It is necessary to attach specific documents when applying.
Such documents form the basis of your business’s groundwork and are needed as a matter of legal necessity. You will need the memorandum of association and the article of association as some of the primary documents.
They govern the operations of the business from its inception onwards. What’s more, company directors must agree with the details in these documents before they can be used in the registration process.
5.Register the Company
With the right documents and necessary checks having been done, you can finally register the company of your dreams. You can either visit the offices for this registration or register online through the provided channels. The online application is easy and straightforward.
All you need to do is supply the information you have gathered above and follow the Companies House’s filing procedure. Stick to the prompts when filing, and you will complete them successfully. If done right, you will receive a notification confirming that you are officially and legally operational as a registered business in the UK.
Final Thoughts
Opening a business in the UK is not as complicated as many people make it out to be. The only problem is when one ignores any of the steps mentioned above. It is a legal requirement in the UK to register your business with the Companies House. This is the only way to operate legally with minimal issues. With the registration steps being easy and pretty straightforward, it is essential for anyone considering running a legit business in the UK to follow through. Consult business experts to guide you if you feel stuck and unable to follow through properly.
Hugh Hay
