Setting up a company is an exciting step, but it is also one that carries legal, structural and ongoing compliance responsibilities.
Our Corporate team provides clear, practical advice on company formations and company secretarial services, supporting businesses from incorporation through every stage of growth.
Whether you are starting a new venture, restructuring an existing business, or require ongoing company secretarial support, we ensure your company is properly structured, compliant and fit for purpose from day one.
Choosing the right structure
Not every business should be set up in the same way. We take the time to understand your objectives and advise on the most appropriate structure, including:
- Private companies limited by shares
- Companies limited by guarantee including clubs, societies and not-for-profit organisations
- Group and subsidiary structures
- Special purpose vehicles (SPVs).
Where appropriate, we work closely with your accountants and tax advisers to ensure the chosen structure aligns with your commercial and tax objectives.
Getting it right from day one
One of the most common and costly mistakes made at incorporation is issuing the wrong number of shares or failing to think ahead about future growth.
The number of shares you issue at the outset can affect:
- Ownership and control
- Future investment or fundraising
- Employee incentives and share options
- The ease (and cost) of future share transfers or reorganisations.
If this is not dealt with properly at incorporation, it can result in unnecessary complexity, additional legal work and avoidable expense later on to correct the position.
We advise clients at the outset on:
- The appropriate number of shares to issue
- Share classes and voting rights
- Future-proofing the company for growth or investment.
This ensures the company is structured correctly from the start and avoids time-consuming and costly corrections down the line.
Company formation- how we can help
We provide a full start to end company formation service, taking care of the legal detail so you can focus on your business.
Our services include:
- Advising on company structure and shareholdings
- Advising on the number of shares to issue and ownership percentages
- Drafting bespoke articles of association
- Incorporating the company at Companies House
- Advising on director duties and responsibilities
- Preparing shareholder agreements (where appropriate)
- Issuing share certificates and setting up statutory registers
- Advising on initial governance and decision-making.
We ensure your company is properly set up, legally compliant and ready to trade.
Company secretarial services
Once incorporated, companies must comply with ongoing statutory and regulatory obligations. Our team provides reliable and responsive company secretarial support, giving clients confidence that their affairs are in order.
We regularly advise on and assist with:
- Maintenance of statutory registers
- Filing confirmation statements and other Companies House filings
- Appointments and resignations of directors and secretaries
- Changes to registered office addresses
- Share allotments, transfers and reorganisations
- Dividend declarations
- Drafting board minutes and shareholder resolutions
- Amending articles of association
- Corporate governance advice
- Support during audits, investments and transactions.
Our services can be provided on an ongoing retainer basis or as and when required.
Find out more about the team
