The holding company is formed like any other Ltd, and a non-resident owner meets the same identity check and registered office rules: UK limited company for non-residents.
▸ About this service
What this area covers: holding company in the UK
Holding company is one of 4 parts of our “Company Formation” practice. It covers the full cycle from initial scoping to operational launch, run by a single named partner from our UK practice.
What it is in the UK: UK holding company; the substantial shareholding exemption applies to qualifying share disposals.
▸ In detail
How we handle holding company
The “Holding company” project in the UK is structured as a 4-stage process run by a single named partner.
A private limited company (Ltd) or an LLP registered at Companies House, with identity verification for directors and a bank file prepared to the requirements of the specific bank.
The same desk that runs holding company handles your banking, bookkeeping, compliance and — where needed — your wind-down.INNOVA · Operating model
▸ Jurisdiction
Why the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is a holding jurisdiction built on common law: the public Companies House register, a broad network of tax treaties, and a deep banking sector. We reach for it when a structure needs international recognition and access to British capital. We factor in the new identity-verification regime too.
▸ 01 · Advantage
A reliable regulatory environment
Mandatory identity verification for all PSCs and directors through Companies House took effect on 18 November 2025 (existing directors verify via their next confirmation statement across a 12-month transition). Plan ahead.
▸ 02 · Advantage
Banking ecosystem
Tier-1 banks (Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, NatWest) are available, but identity-verification requirements are tightening. Since 18 November 2025, a new identity-verification regime applies through Companies House.
▸ 03 · Advantage
Corporate tax 25% (>£250k) / 19% (≤£50k), with marginal relief
The real tax position depends on the structure — we model it before registration.
▸ 04 · Advantage
Local execution, one plan
United Kingdom · one named partner
▸ Why us
Why INNOVA
What changes for you when INNOVA runs the project. If a company or a second jurisdiction is not needed yet, we will say so plainly.
01
Turnkey, without the extra hassle
One window and one contract: we take the task whole, handle everything on your behalf with our own team and trusted contractors, and you buy the result. From you we need decisions and signatures; we get in touch only when the next step depends on you.
02
We handle banks and regulators
A bank refusal, a registry query, a regulator's request, a stalled deadline: we answer, rework the file and resubmit at no extra charge for our work until the matter is closed.
03
We see it through
The partner who opens your project carries it through to the result, even when the process runs for months, and stays on afterwards: renewals, filings, changes to the structure. Where the law requires a licensed professional, we bring one in and remain answerable to you.
04
A boutique, personally involved
We have worked in international business since 2012. An experienced partner runs your project personally, and unusual structures are our field: where you hear “that can't be done”, we look for the lawful route.
05
Your affairs stay yours
Information about you, your structure, your beneficial owners and your deals reaches neither competitors nor third parties. Banks, registries and regulators receive exactly what the law or the procedure requires, and the contract says so.
06
Faster and more precise
We build the file around the specific bank's and regulator's requirements before filing. Experience means we get the work right straight away, where some firms need three attempts. A partner replies in writing within 24 hours.
▸ Process
How the work is structured
A 4-stage process led by a single named partner — from scoping to the operational hand-over.
01
Scoping
Activity, ownership structure, tax residency and banking needs
▸ Result: Recommendation: Ltd or LLP, and the ownership structure
1 dayStep 1 of 4
02
Structure design
Choice of jurisdiction and entity type for the specific objectives
▸ Result: Name check and incorporation filing at Companies House
2–3 daysStep 2 of 4
03
Filing and registration
Online filing at Companies House; gov.uk says a company is usually registered within 24 hours. Certificate of incorporation issued
▸ Result: Appointment of directors and shareholders, PSC register entries, identity verification of directors
1 dayStep 3 of 4
04
Post-incorporation
HMRC usually sets the company up for Corporation Tax at incorporation and posts an activation code within 10 days (21 days if you live abroad); an active company tells HMRC within 3 months of starting its accounting period; VAT where turnover requires it; bookkeeping set-up
▸ Result: Registered office address in the United Kingdom
1–21 daysStep 4 of 4
▸ Information exchange
What we need from you · what you get from us
What we need from you to begin — and what you walk away with. We won't pester you with needless questions: we already have most of the answers.
▸ From you
What we need
→
- Proposed company name (1–3 options)required
- Beneficial owner ID + proof of addressall UBOs
- Director and shareholder detailsstructured form
- Description of the intended activity1 page
- Source-of-funds declarationfor KYB
- Power of attorney (for remote handling)notarised
▸ From us
What you receive
↓
- Certificate of incorporationoriginal
- Memorandum and articles of associationsigned
- Share register + share certificatesissued
- Tax / registration numbersregistered
- Registered-address agreement12 months
- Corporate kit (seals, registers)delivered
▸ Engagement formats
Four ways to work together
We don't quote a fixed price without understanding your situation — cost depends on the complexity of your case. Send a written request or book a paid consultation, then we pick the right format.
M/01
Consultation
A paid 30-minute video consultation with a partner. We discuss your situation, define the project scope, and propose a structure and timeline.
M/02
Written analysis
A written consultation with a full review of the business — tax positioning, structure options, jurisdiction comparison, banking path. Turnaround: 5 business days.
M/03
Operating roadmap
For complex situations — multi-jurisdiction structures, regulated activity, founder relocation. A full plan with stages, dependencies, deliverables and timing.
M/04
Direct execution
You know what you need — we execute. No advisory mark-up and no discovery phase.
▸ About cost The figure above is the lower bound for a typical scope. The exact fee comes in writing once we have scoped the task.
▸ Questionnaire
Fill in the questionnaire
Complete the online questionnaire: a partner studies your case and replies in writing within 24 hours.
Fill in the questionnaire
4 steps · a partner replies in writing within 24 hours.
→
▸ What happens next
A partner reads the questionnaire, replies in writing at the email you gave within 24 hours, then a written quote follows. Work starts after you accept it.
▸ FAQ
Frequently asked questions
The questions we're asked most often. If yours isn't here, a written request is the fastest way to get an answer.
Most “Holding company” projects in the United Kingdom run 1–4 weeks start to finish. The fastest stage is document filing; the longest is post-registration onboarding (banking, tax registration). A single named partner runs the project throughout.
From US$ 1,800 · depends on jurisdiction. The lower bound is for clean, standard profiles; the upper bound is for complex ownership structures, multi-jurisdiction projects or regulated activity. A fixed quote follows once we have scoped the task.
In most cases, no. The entire process runs remotely under a notarised power of attorney. A handful of jurisdictions require an in-person visit (typically biometrics for a residence permit) — we plan those as efficiently as possible.
Yes. UK company law does not require directors to be UK residents or nationals. A sole non-resident director is fully permitted. The only universal requirement is that every director must be a natural person aged 16 or over. Since 18 November 2025, all directors must complete identity verification with Companies House under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.
Companies House says an online company is usually registered within 24 hours. Same-day incorporation costs £156 in total instead of £100 and is available through filing software for applications submitted before 3pm. Your company number, certificate of incorporation, and Memorandum & Articles of Association are issued digitally. A registered office address in England, Wales, or Scotland is required at the point of filing — we have one ready.
Yes. All UK companies are recorded on the Companies House public register, which discloses the company's name, registered number, registered address, list of directors, and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs — beneficial owners of 25%+ shares or voting rights). Annual accounts and confirmation statements are also publicly available. This transparency is a feature, not a drawback, for banks and institutional counterparties.
Usually not — most jurisdictions require a registered address with an agent or office service. We provide it as part of the project for the first 12 months.
Yes. Changes to directors and shareholders are recorded in the register as needed. We handle this as part of ongoing administration.
▸ Jurisdictions
Holding company in other countries
The same service — in every jurisdiction we run. One desk, one standard.
