What is a person with significant control (PSC)?
A person with significant control (PSC) is someone who owns or controls a UK company — the people behind the business, as opposed to the directors who run it. The main tests are holding more than 25% of shares, more than 25% of voting rights, the right to appoint or remove most of the board, or otherwise exercising significant influence or control. Companies must keep a PSC register and report it to Companies House.
Why the PSC register exists
The PSC regime, introduced in 2016, was designed to make beneficial ownership transparent and to tackle the misuse of companies for money laundering. It reveals the real people behind corporate structures, even where ownership is layered through other companies.
Where a company is owned by another company, the parent can be recorded as a “relevant legal entity” (RLE) instead of a person — so following an ownership chain sometimes means stepping through several RLEs to reach the ultimate human owners.
Frequently asked
What is the difference between a PSC and a director?
A director manages the company; a PSC owns or controls it. They are often the same people in a small business, but not always — owners can sit behind directors they appoint.
What are the PSC thresholds?
Holding more than 25% (up to 50%, over 50%, or 75%+ bands) of shares or voting rights, the right to appoint or remove a majority of directors, or otherwise having significant influence or control.
Is PSC information public?
Yes, the PSC register is public, though a PSC’s full date of birth and residential address are protected, like director data.
What if a company has no PSC?
Some companies legitimately have no registrable PSC (e.g. widely-held ownership). They must still file a statement to that effect.
Related guides
- How to find a company’s directors
- Ltd vs PLC vs LLP: UK company types explained
- UK company number explained
Put this into practice
Search the live Companies House register and export company lists with director details.
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