Company formation,
done in 24 hours.
Register your limited company with Companies House and HMRC — quickly, correctly, and with expert advice on structure from the outset.
What Is Company Formation?
Company formation is the process of incorporating a legal entity — most commonly a private limited company (Ltd) — with Companies House. Once incorporated, your company exists as a separate legal person with its own rights, obligations, and tax position.
While the mechanics of incorporation can be done online, getting the structure right from the start requires professional advice. Share allocations, director arrangements, and HMRC registrations all have implications for how your business operates and how tax-efficiently it can be run.
What We Set Up
We incorporate your company at Companies House — typically within 24 hours — selecting the right SIC code for your primary business activity and checking that your chosen name is available and meets the naming rules. Before filing, we discuss and agree the shareholder structure with you: how many shares to issue, at what nominal value, whether to use different share classes (for example, ordinary A and B shares to allow flexible dividend allocation), and who the initial directors will be. Getting this right at formation is far simpler than amending it later.
Once incorporated, we register the company for corporation tax with HMRC — which must be done within three months of starting to trade — and set up PAYE and VAT registrations where applicable. We draft the standard articles of association for a private company limited by shares, or advise on bespoke articles if your situation requires them. We also maintain the statutory registers required by the Companies Act 2006, including the register of directors, register of members, and PSC (Persons with Significant Control) register.
For directors who prefer not to use their home address as the company's registered office, we provide a professional registered office address service. This keeps your personal address off the public Companies House register and ensures that statutory mail is received, logged, and forwarded to you promptly. After formation, we provide a full handover pack and can continue as your accountants for all ongoing compliance and advisory needs.
Why Choose Brathwaite?
Limited company registered with Companies House in as little as 24 hours
Share structure, director appointments, and PSC register configured correctly
Corporation tax, PAYE, and VAT registration with HMRC
Registered office address service available if required
Advice on share classes and shareholder agreements
Full handover pack and ongoing accounting support
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to form a limited company?
Online company registration with Companies House is typically processed within 24 hours. However, there are important decisions to make before incorporating — share structure, director details, SIC codes, and registered office — that are worth discussing in advance. We handle the entire process correctly from the outset.
What do I need to register a company?
To register a limited company you need: a company name (checked for availability), a registered office address in the UK, at least one director (aged 16+), details of shareholders and share structure, and information about persons with significant control (PSC). We gather all of this and file on your behalf.
What happens after my company is registered?
After registration, you must register for corporation tax with HMRC within 3 months of starting to trade. You may also need to register for VAT, PAYE, and other obligations depending on your business. We guide you through every post-incorporation step so nothing is missed.
Can I use my home address as a registered office?
Yes, but your registered office address will appear on the public Companies House register. Many business owners prefer to use a professional registered office address to maintain privacy and present a more professional image. We offer this service as part of our company formation package.