New research shows vital role of the company secretary

Much insight into the significant contribution that a good company secretary makes to board performance has been given by new research from Henley Business School. The study, undertaken in conjunction with the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA), scrutinised the unique role of company secretaries, finding that despite being sometimes undervalued and misunderstood, they were intrinsic to the success of their organisations. Continue reading

What the switch from the Annual Return to the Annual Confirmation Statement really means

Many clients of business support agencies like London Registrars may have noticed the recent introduction in Parliament of the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill, which proposes the replacement of the familiar Annual Return with something called the ‘Annual Confirmation Statement’. It may sound like a drastic a change but it only really amounts to a rebranding of the Annual Return. Continue reading

Keeping to the bare minimum requirements for company records

A key element of effective corporate governance will always be the keeping of appropriate company records. However, a balance must be struck between complying with legal requirements and not getting bogged down with red tape, to the expense of everyday business operations. It begs the question of what the bare minimum requirements are for company records. Continue reading

No change in HMRC owner-manager policy, despite win over dividends

Many a company secretary of an owner-manager taking their income mainly as dividends will have noticed the surprise outcome of a high profile case over whether tax and NI can be applied to dividends by HMRC in the same way as salary. The consultancy firm PA Holdings Ltd (PA) conceded defeat, leading to fears that directors/shareholders taking their income mainly by dividends could be subject to HMRC assault. Continue reading

Could your company benefit from new articles of association?

A company’s articles of association are a vital constitutional document for that company, together with the memorandum of association – in cases where the memorandum. The articles define the director responsibilities, the kind of business that is to be undertaken and the means by which control is exerted over the board of directors by shareholders. However, clients of London Registrars’ (https://www.london-registrars.co.uk) company secretarial services may wish to take advantage of certain changes in company law in recent years. Continue reading

How could directors and managers benefit from a London Registrars company secretary?

Companies frequently make use of company secretaries for a wide range of duties relating to business administration, including compliance with statutory requirements. London Registrars (https://www.london-registrars.co.uk) has gained a reputation for the assistance and solutions that it provides to many different companies, catering to their specific requirements. Continue reading

London Registrars can take the stress out of a company secretarial audit

Companies often find a company secretarial audit is a useful way to review its governance and compliance obligations. It also greatly assists the directors reporting to the auditors. Typically, an audit provided by London Registrars  involves a review of for compliance with the Companies Act 2006, including the company’s memorandum and articles of association, statutory filing record and a reconciliation of the share registrar. Continue reading

A rundown of London Registrars’ company secretarial services for PLCs

The many benefits of a business operating as a public limited company (PLC) include access to capital, liquidity, an opportunity to make acquisitions more easily and a more prestigious profile, as well as profit and tax advantages. There are, however, also various implications, and a public limited company is as likely as any other to prosper as a result of the use of the right company secretarial services, from a firm like London Registrars (https://www.london-registrars.co.uk). Continue reading