What is a Person with Significant Control? (PSC)

6 March, 2025 · 10 min read

Author

If you own or manage a UK company, you’ve probably come across the term Person with Significant Control, also called a PSC, but what does it mean, and why does it matter?

Since April 2016, all UK companies have been legally required to maintain a PSC register. This is a record of individuals or entities that have significant control over the business.

It was introduced to increase corporate transparency, prevent financial crime, and make sure there was accountability. It includes the person’s name, nationality and their interest in the company. People can apply to protect their PSC information from being published on the Companies House register.

Open a business account with ANNA and get your taxes sorted

With ANNA you get a debit card, automated bookkeeping, a personal payment link, up to 40% cashback and 24/7 customer support

I agree to ANNA’s privacy policy

What is a Person with Significant Control (PSC)?
What does Person with Significant Control mean?
Identifying your PSC
Managing PSC information
Public access and privacy

What is a Person with Significant Control (PSC)?

A Person with Significant Control (PSC) is a person or entity that owns, controls, or influences a company. The UK government introduced PSC regulations to make it clear who is really in charge of a business - whether that's day-to-day or behind the scenes.

Every UK limited company (Ltd) and Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) has to identify its PSC(s) and keep this information up to date with Companies House.

This register is publicly available, so anyone from investors to regulators can easily see who owns or controls a company.

What does Person with Significant Control mean?

When setting up your business account, identifying your PSC(s) is just one of many things you need to think about. Let’s take a closer look at what it means for your business.

Qualifying as a PSC

Identifying your PSC

How do I know who the Person with Significant Control Is?

Using the above criteria, review ownership structures, voting rights, and contractual agreements to work out who in your business meets the PSC threshold. There might be several people in a business who qualify as a PSC.

Other Significant Influence or Control

If someone influences company decisions without direct ownership, they may still be considered a PSC. The official government website provides thorough guidance on who should be considered a PSC.

If your company is controlled by a trust or firm without ‘Legal Personality’

In cases where control is exercised through a trust or partnership, the individuals behind these entities must also be identified as PSCs.

What is a PSC Register?

A PSC register is a record of the people or entities that have significant control over a company.

Your PSC register must be available for inspection at the company’s registered office, or single alternative inspection location (SAIL).

Anyone can look at your register free of charge. You must provide copies on request.

Companies without this information available can receive a notice, failure to respond to these notices or providing incorrect information is a criminal offence and can lead to a fine and 2 years in prison. Public access and privacy

With the requirement for the register to be publicly available, how can a business protect the privacy of the registered PSC(s)?

Managing PSC information

What does a company have to do to keep a PSC register?

What is the business responsible for when it comes to its PSC register?

Identifying PSCs
Recording their details in the PSC register
Keeping the information up to date
Providing the information to Companies House if you choose to store it there

What PSC Information Is Required?

Name
Date of birth
Nationality and country of residence
Correspondence or service address
Home address (this must not be disclosed)
The date they became a PSC of the company
The date entered into PSC register
The nature of interest or control in the company.

Any changes to this information should be updated and reported to Companies House.

Public access and privacy

With the requirement for the register to be publicly available, how can a business protect the privacy of the registered PSC(s)?

Inspection of Your Register

Certain details are accessible to the public, while sensitive information, like their home address remains protected. This means that other parties can know who controls a company without too much risk to the PSC.

Exemptions and privacy

It’s possible for some companies and individuals to apply for PSC details to be kept private. This is for those who may be at “serious risk” should their information be made public.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What if I can’t identify who the Person with Significant Control is?

A PSC register must be available for inspection at the company’s registered office, or single alternative inspection location (SAIL). If it is not, you can give a notice and the business, their lawyers or business partners will have one calendar month to respond.

What if my company doesn’t have a PSC or I don’t know how to find out?

If no PSC exists, a statement must be recorded in the PSC register.

Does being a director make me a PSC?

Being a director does not automatically make you a PSC. You must also meet one of the other criteria.

Can a company be a Person with Significant Control?

Yes, a Relevant Legal Entity (RLE) can be a PSC.

Can a Person with Significant Control remove a director?

It will depend on their level of control within the company.

What does the cessation of a Person with Significant Control mean?

It means an individual no longer meets the PSC criteria and must be removed from the maintained PSC register.

What If you choose to keep your PSC information at Companies House?

Companies can choose to store PSC details with Companies House instead of maintaining their own register.

Both options are legal and it’s the responsibility of the business to choose which is most suitable.

Where do I look for information on the Person with Significant Control?

PSC information is available via Companies House records. You will usually find a name, date of birth, nationality and their role within the business.