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How to Check the Beneficial Ownership of a UK Company

To find out who really owns and controls a UK company, you check its Persons with Significant Control (PSC) filings on the Companies House register. Here is how, and where the register falls short for ongoing due diligence.

Step 1 — Find the company

Search the company name or number on the free Companies House service. Confirm you have the right entity by cross-checking the registered office and incorporation date.

Step 2 — Open the "People" tab

The company record lists directors and, separately, its Persons with Significant Control. Each PSC entry shows the nature of control — the share band, voting band, or that they hold the right to appoint the board or otherwise exercise significant influence.

Step 3 — Read the nature of control

"Ownership of shares — more than 25% but not more than 50%" and similar phrases tell you the size of the stake. Multiple PSCs can be recorded where control is shared.

Step 4 — Check for gaps and statements

Some records carry statements such as "the company has not yet identified a PSC" or "the company knows or has reasonable cause to believe there is no PSC". These are red flags worth investigating in a due-diligence context.

Step 5 — Keep it current

A one-off check is a snapshot. Beneficial ownership can change between filings, and the register only reflects what has been reported. PSC Monitor watches the companies on your list and alerts you when a PSC is added, removed, or their control changes — so the picture stays current without manual re-checking.

Monitor beneficial-ownership changes automatically — get alerted the moment a PSC is added, removed or changed.

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Frequently asked questions

Where can I check who owns a UK company for free?

The Companies House register is free and shows each company's Persons with Significant Control, including the size band of their shareholding or voting rights.

Can I see the exact shareholding of a PSC?

Not the exact figure. The register shows banded ranges (over 25% up to 50%, over 50% up to 75%, and over 75%) rather than a precise percentage.

How do I track ownership changes over time?

Set up monitoring. The register shows the current position but does not alert you to changes — a service like PSC Monitor detects additions, removals and control changes for companies you watch.

Last updated: 2026-08-30 · Source: UK Companies House public register · Not legal advice — always verify against official sources before acting.