What you need to know about the PSC register

Successive UK governments have been looking for ways to increase corporate transparency. Since 2016 companies in the UK have had to maintain a PSC register. Not to be confused with the annoyingly identical acronym for ‘Personal Service Company’, in this case, PSC stands for ‘Person of Significant Control’.

This should not be too difficult,  in fact, you’re likely to be doing most of this admin anyway. For your peace of mind, here is an explanation of the PSC register in a nutshell.

What is the PSC register?

Each company has to record information on who owns shares or directly influences its decisions. This information is to be provided as follows:

• On an annual Confirmation Statement (previously known as an Annual Return)
• Recorded on the company’s own PSC register

This data is visible on the central public register at Companies House, so investors will have a better idea of what they’re getting themselves into when thinking about investing in a company. Money laundering investigations will also be aided by this register, which of course will need to be kept up to date at all times.

What happens if you don’t provide and record the correct information on your PSC register?

Persons of Significant Control and their companies are obliged to provide these details. Those who do not take appropriate measures (or provide falsified details) face a fine or even imprisonment.

Companies have a legal duty to keep a register of directors or members (shareholders. Newly formed companies will need to include information on Persons of Significant Control as part of their incorporation application.

Who classes as a PSC?

The Department for Business Innovation and Skills has advised that a PSC is an individual who:

• Holds more than 25% of shares or voting rights in the company.
• Holds the right to appoint or remove the majority of the board of directors of the company.
• Has the right to exercise significant influence or control over a company or other entity such as a trust.

The first two points are fairly straightforward, but the third is slightly subjective – if you feel this applies to your situation, we recommend you seek professional advice.

Where is the PSC register stored?

The register must be kept at the company’s registered office. If your registered business address is that of your accountant, and it is part of their service to keep company records, this is where the register will be held.

Making changes to your PSC register

PSC changes can no longer be updated on your Confirmation Statement. If a change needs to be made to your PSC register, you have 14 days to make the update and a further 14 days to inform Companies House of any changes.

If you're a Crunch client, you need to let us know about any changes you make to the public register within 14 days.

What information will you need to provide?

For each PSC, the following information will need to be disclosed:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Nationality
• Country, state or part of the UK where the PSC usually lives
• Service address
• Usual residential address (this must not be disclosed when making your register available for inspection or providing copies of the PSC register)
• Date they became a PSC in relation to the company (for existing companies, 6th April 2016 should be used)
• Which conditions for being a PSC are met
• Whether an application has been made for the individual’s information to be protected