What is a shareholder?
Shareholders are people (or sometimes other companies) who invest money into a company in return for shares (also known as ‘equity’). Each share is a slice of the company. One share can be a big slice or a very thin slice,…
Shares and shareholders
What is a shareholders’ agreement?
When setting up a company with family or friends it is easy to assume that nothing can go wrong in the future. You might assume that, as you trust one another, you do not need to put in place something like a shareholders’…
What should be included in a shareholders’ agreement?
We’ve written separately to explain what a shareholders’ agreement is and when it’s appropriate to have one in place. This article sets out some of the practicalities of setting up a shareholders’ agreement and details…
Shareholders’ rights: the basics
While shareholders collectively own a company, they do not control the day to day running of it. That’s the role of the company directors. In exchange for their investment, however, shareholders have a range of rights that…
How can a company use different share classes?
In many companies, it is appropriate – and certainly administratively easier – for all of the shares to be of the same class. This ensures that all shareholders can vote at shareholders’ meetings and share…
Shareholder vs. member: what’s the difference?
The words ‘shareholders’ and ‘members’ of a limited company are often used interchangeably, and in many cases that’s fine. Both terms refer to individuals or entities with a financial and/or legal interest in the…
2025 Review
of UK Company Formations
Read our comprehensive review of UK company formations in 2024, year-on-year growth rates and breakdown by county. This detailed insight is provided in the form of easy to understand infographics available for sharing through social media and on your own website
