Person with significant control (PSC)
In short. A person with significant control is someone who ultimately owns or controls a UK company, for example by holding more than 25 per cent of its shares or voting rights, or by being able to appoint or remove a majority of its directors. Companies must record their PSCs and report changes.
Last checked against its sources on 10 October 2026. How we write these.
PSCs are sometimes called beneficial owners. The rule exists so that the public can see who really stands behind a company, not just who is named on paper.
GOV.UK sets out the conditions. A person is a PSC if they meet one or more of these: they hold more than 25 per cent of the shares or voting rights, they can appoint or remove a majority of the directors, or they can influence or control the company or a trust, which applies only in limited circumstances. The register records the band of ownership, such as over 25 to 50 per cent.
PSC details must be provided when a company is incorporated, and changes must be reported within 14 days of confirming them. If a company has no PSC or cannot identify one, it must register a statement explaining why. The information cannot simply be left blank.
A simple example is a company with two founders holding 60 and 40 per cent. Both are PSCs. PSCs are also now subject to identity verification, so ownership records and verification need to be kept in step.
Questions people ask
Does a PSC have to be a director?
No. A PSC is defined by ownership or control, so a shareholder who is not a director can be a PSC.
How quickly must a change be reported?
GOV.UK says changes to PSC information must be reported within 14 days of confirming the change.
Sources
- GOV.UK: People with significant control (PSCs) checked 10 October 2026