Add Shareholder(s)

Add new shareholders to your UK limited company — quickly and correctly. Whether you're bringing in a co-founder, investor, or business partner, we handle the Companies House filings and paperwork so your ownership records stay compliant.

What's Included

Share allotment or transfer — We prepare the necessary documentation to issue new shares or transfer existing shares to your new shareholder, depending on how the ownership change is structured.

Companies House filing — We complete and submit the required forms to Companies House, including the SH01 (return of allotment) for new share issues, so your public records reflect the updated ownership.

Updated shareholder register — We update your company's internal register of members to include the new shareholder's details, keeping your statutory records accurate and compliant.

Stock transfer documentation — Where shares are being transferred from an existing shareholder, we prepare the stock transfer form and supporting paperwork needed to complete the transaction properly.

Who Is This For

This service is for UK limited company directors who need to add a new shareholder to their company. Common scenarios include bringing in a business partner, issuing shares to an investor, adding a family member as a shareholder, or restructuring ownership after a funding round. It's particularly useful for international founders who may not be familiar with the UK share allotment process and want to make sure everything is filed correctly with Companies House the first time.

How It Works

1. Tell us what you need — Place your order and let us know the details: the new shareholder's name, address, and the number and class of shares they'll be receiving.

2. We review your share structure — Our team checks your current share capital, articles of association, and any existing shareholder agreements to confirm the allotment or transfer can proceed.

3. We prepare the paperwork — We draft the board resolution, share certificates, SH01 form, and any stock transfer documentation needed for the change.

4. Filed and delivered — We submit the required forms to Companies House and provide you with updated company documents confirming the new shareholder has been added.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between allotting new shares and transferring existing shares?

Allotting new shares means the company issues additional shares, increasing the total share capital. This is common when bringing in an investor. Transferring shares means an existing shareholder gives up some or all of their shares to someone else — the total number of shares stays the same. We handle both scenarios.

Do I need to update Companies House when I add a shareholder?

Yes. When new shares are allotted, you must file an SH01 (return of allotment of shares) with Companies House within one month. The new shareholder's details will also need to appear on your next Confirmation Statement. Failing to report these changes can result in penalties and compliance issues.

Can the new shareholder be based outside the UK?

Absolutely. There are no nationality or residency requirements for shareholders of a UK limited company. Your new shareholder can be based anywhere in the world — they just need to provide a valid name and correspondence address.

Will this affect my company's tax obligations?

Adding a shareholder doesn't change your company's Corporation Tax obligations directly. However, if shares are being transferred, there may be Stamp Duty implications if the transfer value exceeds £1,000. We'll flag this during the process so you can seek tax advice if needed.

How long does the process take?

Once we have all the details from you, we typically prepare and file everything within 3 to 5 business days. Companies House usually processes the SH01 form within 24 hours of submission for online filings.

Can I add multiple shareholders at the same time?

Yes. If you're adding more than one shareholder — for example, after a funding round or when setting up a joint venture — we can handle all the allotments or transfers in a single order. Just provide us with each shareholder's details when you place your order.

Why Launchese

Share changes are one of the most common — and most commonly mishandled — updates for UK companies. Get the paperwork wrong and you end up with inconsistent records, shareholder disputes, or Companies House compliance issues down the line. We've processed hundreds of share allotments and transfers for international founders, and we know exactly what's needed to get it right. Clean paperwork, proper filings, no loose ends.

Need to update your company's ownership? Browse our plans or add this service to your order today.