
Starting a company toolkit
- Simple step-by-step guidance
- Helps you make the big decisions
- All the documents and guidance you need to set up
This toolkit for setting up a company includes all the documentation and guidance you need to start a new company from scratch.
It includes 14 documents designed to help you get started and take your first steps with your company, whilst making sure that you comply with the law from day one. The documents include:
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step-by-step guidance to help you fill in the form to create a new company;
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handy summaries of how things work to help you make good choices, like what the effect of different shareholding percentages has on the control of your company;
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checklists to help you run your company properly from the start, including how to pass proper board and shareholder resolutions; and
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template company registers, including guidance on how to fill them in and examples to make it easy.
The straightforward how-to guide will take you step-by-step through how to use the documents and checklists in this tookit, whether this is your first company or you are experienced and keen to make sure you get the details right.
Q&A
When should I use this toolkit?
This toolkit is perfect for anyone looking to start a company.
Whether you are doing it as one of your first steps in starting a business, or if you have been trading for some time and have decided it is a good time to incorporate - this toolkit has got you covered.
What does this toolkit cover?
Our toolkit for starting a company covers everything you will need to set one up, and lots more besides to make sure you get into good habits early.
We haven't just given you the bare minimum you need to fill in the forms and get going. This toolkit gets you up to speed with how running a business through a company is different, including the regulations you need to know about when it comes to record-keeping, and the different ways that your board of directors and your shareholders make decisions.
Even down to the need to include your company name, registered address and number in your business emails - we've included a template email footer so you're covered.
Why do I need this toolkit?
This toolkit for setting up a company will give you the confidence that you are getting your business off to the best start. Even if you choose to use an incorporation agent to actually fill in the form for you, this toolkit will help you both:
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make those decisions about your new company that only you can make, like who gets how many shares, who your directors will be and that all-important company name; and
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once your company is up and running, to make sure you are complying with the law, for example by displaying your company name at any premises where you do business.
Our comprehensive toolkit will help you figure out what you want your company to look like, set it up, and run it properly from the outset.
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Where can I find out more?
The How-to guide for this toolkit takes you through the basics of starting a company in a simple step-by-step table. For more detailed guidance in our extensive Q&A on the subject, see:
Documents in Toolkit
Checklist for choosing your company's registered name
Checklist for passing a board resolution
Checklist for passing a shareholder resolution at a general meeting
Checklist for passing a shareholder written resolution
Company registers
Comparison of different methods of incorporation
Email footer and disclaimer
How to guide - starting a company toolkit
Permitted characters and symbols in a company's registered name
Quick guide to company books, records and filings
Quick guide to shareholder rights and shareholding percentages
Quick guide to the model articles
Step-by-step guide to incorporation (paper IN01 form)
Related Toolkits
Shareholders' agreement toolkit
Shareholders' agreement
Articles of association for shareholders' agreement
Board minutes approving shareholders' agreement and new articles
Sole director resolution approving shareholders' agreement and new articles
Written board resolution approving shareholders' agreement and new articles
Shareholder resolution approving issue of shares to new share investor and adopting new articles
Shareholder written resolution amending a company's articles of association
Filing copy of shareholder resolution approving share issue and new articles
- How-to guide: Shareholders' agreement toolkit
Filing copy of shareholder written resolution amending a company's articles of association
Small claims toolkit
- How-to guide: Small claims toolkit
Letter before action
Witness statement
Letter of non-attendance for small claims hearing
Redundancy toolkit
- How-to guide: Redundancy toolkit
Redundancy - Letter warning of proposed redundancies
Redundancy - Selection criteria form
Redundancy - Provisional selection for redundancy letter
Redundancy - First individual consultation meeting agenda
Redundancy - Outcome of individual consultation meeting
Redundancy - Invitation to final individual consultation meeting
Redundancy - Final individual consultation meeting agenda
Redundancy - Notice of termination of employment
Redundancy - Offer of alternative employment
Starting an online business toolkit
- How-to guide: Starting an online business toolkit
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