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How to Start a Business in the UK
23 June, 2025•15 mins
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.
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- In this article
- Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
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.
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.
What is a Person with Significant Control statement?
This is a declaration when a company has no PSCs or is still in the process of identifying one.
Why do the public need to know about a Person with Significant Control in a company?
Transparency helps prevent financial crimes and creates trust with partners, investors and the public.
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