If you run a UK limited company, you are legally required to maintain a register of People with Significant Control — commonly known as a PSC register. Introduced as part of the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015, the PSC register is designed to improve corporate transparency by identifying the individuals who ultimately own or control UK companies. Here is everything you need to know.
What Is a PSC?
A Person with Significant Control (PSC) is an individual who meets one or more of the following conditions in relation to a UK company:
- Holds more than 25% of the company's shares
- Holds more than 25% of the company's voting rights
- Has the right to appoint or remove the majority of the board of directors
- Has the right to exercise, or actually exercises, significant influence or control over the company
- Has the right to exercise, or actually exercises, significant influence or control over a trust or firm that itself meets one of the above conditions
In practice, for most small limited companies with a single director-shareholder, that individual will be the sole PSC.
What Is the PSC Register?
The PSC register is a formal record that every UK limited company must maintain, listing all individuals (or relevant legal entities) that meet the PSC criteria. It must be kept at the company's registered office or at an alternative inspection location notified to Companies House.
The register must include the following information for each PSC:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Nationality
- Country of residence
- Service address (the address used for correspondence — not necessarily their home address)
- Residential address (kept private — not shown on the public register)
- The nature of their control (e.g. ownership of shares, voting rights)
- The date they became a PSC
What Information Is Made Public?
Not all PSC information is publicly visible. Companies House publishes the following on the public register:
- Name
- Month and year of birth (not the full date)
- Nationality
- Country of residence
- Service address
- Nature of control
The PSC's residential address is kept private and is not shown on the public register — provided a separate service address has been supplied. If no service address is provided, the residential address may be used as the default, making it publicly visible.
Who Needs to Maintain a PSC Register?
The following types of companies are required to maintain a PSC register:
- UK limited companies (Ltd)
- UK limited liability partnerships (LLPs)
- Scottish limited partnerships (SLPs) and Scottish qualifying partnerships (SQPs)
Sole traders and ordinary partnerships are not required to maintain a PSC register.
How to File PSC Information With Companies House
PSC information must be reported to Companies House and kept up to date. You must notify Companies House of any changes to your PSC information within 14 days of becoming aware of the change, and update your confirmation statement annually. If you need support with Companies House filings, our Companies House Services can help you stay on top of your obligations.
Failure to maintain an accurate PSC register or to file PSC information with Companies House is a criminal offence and can result in fines or prosecution.
Protecting Your Privacy as a PSC
Since your service address appears on the public Companies House register as a PSC, it is important to use a professional address rather than your home address. This applies equally to your role as a director and as a PSC — both addresses are publicly visible.
Using a professional service address from a provider such as Spectre Offices ensures that your residential address remains private, while keeping you fully compliant with Companies House requirements.
How Spectre Offices Can Help
Spectre Offices provides professional director service addresses that can be used as your PSC service address on the Companies House register. Our service includes:
- A professional UK business address for use as your PSC service address
- Mail handling and forwarding of all official correspondence
- Full compliance with Companies House requirements
- Coverage across multiple UK cities
Whether you are setting up a new company or updating your existing PSC details, Spectre Offices makes it straightforward to protect your personal privacy while meeting your legal obligations. View our Companies House Services to find out how we can help.
Conclusion
The PSC register is a legal requirement for all UK limited companies, and the information it contains — including your service address — is publicly visible on the Companies House register. Using a professional service address is the most effective way to protect your personal privacy as a PSC, ensuring your home address never appears on the public record. Spectre Offices is here to help you stay compliant and keep your personal details private.
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