What Is a Person With Significant Control (PSC)? — UK Ownership And Control Explained

Person with Significant Control (PSC) An individual or registrable entity meeting UK ownership or control criteria that must be disclosed under the PSC regime.

The Person with Significant Control (PSC) concept is a legal mechanism introduced in UK company law to identify the natural persons or registrable entities who exercise substantial ownership or influence over a company. The measure requires companies to hold a register of PSCs and to make certain PSC information available to Companies House and, therefore, to the public. For logistics operators, multinational merchants, and 3PLs with UK subsidiaries or business relationships, understanding PSC obligations matters for corporate transparency, contractual due diligence, and compliance with anti-money laundering checks.

What The PSC Regime Covers

The regime targets persons or entities that meet one or more statutory conditions showing significant control. Typical indicators include large shareholdings, significant voting rights, the ability to appoint or remove a majority of directors, and the right to exercise, or the exercise of, significant influence or control. The PSC rules apply to UK companies (private and public) and certain registered bodies; they are separate from but related to other ownership and beneficial‑ownership frameworks used in financial crime prevention.

Who Qualifies As A PSC

Qualification is fact‑based. The most common criteria are:

• Share Ownership: Holding more than 25% of the company’s shares.
• Voting Rights: Controlling more than 25% of voting rights in general meetings.
• Board Control: Having the right to appoint or remove a majority of the board.
• Significant Influence: Exercising, or having the right to exercise, significant influence or control over the company.
• Relevant Agreements: Having rights under agreements that confer the same level of control as the other tests.

Where no individual meets these thresholds, a company must declare that nobody qualifies as a PSC, and follow the prescribed alternative steps (for example, investigating corporate ownership chains). Registrable entities—such as certain trusts or corporate bodies—can also be captured where the law requires.

Information Required And Where It Is Recorded

Companies must collect and retain identity details for each PSC. Typical data points include full name, date of birth, nationality, service address, usual residential address (kept on a non‑public register), nature of control (which statutory condition applies), and the date they became a PSC. The company maintains an internal PSC register and must provide information to Companies House so that the public register is up to date. Evidence supporting the PSC entry—such as share registers, contracts, and identity verification documents—should be retained with the company’s records.

Why It Matters For Businesses

PSC disclosure increases transparency for creditors, trading partners, and regulators. For logistics firms and carriers contracting with UK companies, the public PSC data can accelerate onboarding checks and cargo release decisions. For companies, failure to keep accurate PSC records can attract civil penalties and criminal sanctions for officers. PSC information also forms part of the wider compliance ecosystem that intersects with anti‑money laundering, sanctions screening, and KYC processes used across supply chains.

Practical Example

A US‑based 3PL opens a UK‑registered subsidiary that issues shares to three investors: one investor holds 60% of shares, another holds 30%, and the third holds 10%. Both major shareholders meet the share‑ownership threshold and therefore must be recorded as PSCs. The subsidiary must record their details in its PSC register, keep supporting evidence, and ensure Companies House receives the required information so the public register reflects the ownership structure.

Tips For Compliance

• Due Diligence: Verify PSC status during onboarding and after material changes in ownership or control.
• Recordkeeping: Keep documentary evidence that supports the register entries and update internal processes to capture changes promptly.
• Coordination: Align company secretarial, finance, and compliance teams so PSC data is reflected in filings and KYC systems.
• Privacy Considerations: Limit access to sensitive residential address data to those who need it; public data is restricted to what Companies House publishes.

In short, the Person with Significant Control (PSC) regime makes ownership and control visible for UK companies and their stakeholders. For logistics and supply‑chain operators with UK exposure, PSC checks should be part of corporate due diligence, onboarding, and ongoing compliance processes.