What is a private company limited by guarantee?

Private company limited by guarantee: what you need to know

When registering as a limited company, there are two main options open to directors. They can register as a company limited by guarantee, or a company limited by shares. The majority of incorporated businesses in the UK adopt the limited by shares structure as this better aligns with the aims and objectives of a company which is set up to realise a profit for the individuals who run it.

When a company limited by shares is incorporated, at least one share must be issued; the number of shares allotted to shareholders affects the distribution of dividends, voting rights in shareholder meetings, as well as the extent of shareholders’ liability should the company enter insolvency proceedings. Additional shares can be issued at a later stage in the event of a new business partner joining the firm, or for the purposes of securing investment. Shareholding percentages can be also be altered to reflect a change in ownership through the transfer and re-allotment of existing shares. A company limited by shares can take one of two forms: a public limited company, or a private limited company.

The limited by guarantee structure, however, is typically adopted by a not-for-profit organisation which requires its own legal standing and identity. Companies which are often incorporated this way include charities, as well as sports organisations, private member clubs, community projects, student unions, and even political parties.

What is the structure of a company limited by guarantee?

In many ways a company limited by guarantee is operated very similarly to one which is limited by shares. They have many of the same responsibilities, administrative requirements, and regulations to follow. Both are bound by the Companies Acts, both must have a registered office address in the country of incorporation, and both have statutory filing obligations such as submitting annual accounts and confirmation statements. 

However, unlike a share company, a limited by guarantee company does not have any shareholders, or share capital invested in it; instead the company is controlled by members who occupy the role of guarantors. There must be at least one director (charitable organisations will need two) who will typically also be a guarantor.

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Advantages of trading as a company limited by guarantee

The benefits of operating as a limited by guarantee company are widely the same as for any limited company. The primary advantage is that members are afforded an element of protection against financial losses the company may make. Just because the company may be a charitable endeavour or a community project, does not mean it is free from financial liabilities. Many organisations of this type lease commercial premises, have finance agreements for vehicles or equipment, as well as having employees.

Should the business fall into financial distress, members could find themselves held personally responsible for these liabilities if the company had not been incorporated with limited status.

Instead, under a limited by guarantee structure, all guarantors agree to contribute a set amount of money as set out in the company’s articles of association should the company become insolvent and subsequently enter liquidation. In effect therefore, members’ personal exposure is limited to the amount of their guarantee which is typically a nominal sum of often just £1, barring any instances of fraud or negligence.

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What happens to the profits the company makes?

In the vast majority of limited by guarantee companies, profits are retained within the company and reinvested in order to further develop and enhance their activities, reach, and objectives. Profits can, theoretically, be distributed to members if this is desired, however, should this happen then the company will not qualify for charitable status. While there is nothing to stop profits being extracted from a company which is limited by guarantee, if this is the aim when setting up the business, then directors would be advised to consider incorporating as a company limited by shares instead.

How can a company limited by guarantee raise funds if it has no shares to issue?

As companies limited by guarantee do not have share capital, they are unable to issue shares to those individuals or companies which want to invest. While this does impose some limits on the ways in which they can source finance, there are still several options open to these types of companies.

A LBG company is still able to borrow money just as a share company would. This could be through traditional channels such as loans and credit cards provided by high street banks, or alternative funding streams such as asset-based borrowing. Although shares cannot be issued, limited by guarantee companies are able to issue debentures which can aid the task of securing external funding. Charitable organisations may also obtain capital through grants from the government or local authority, by procuring charitable donations from the public, or charging a membership fee.

Do I have to register as a company limited by guarantee?

The only organisations required to incorporate as guarantee companies are those set up for charitable purposes; this is a requirement of gaining registered charitable status. However, most not-for-profit companies will choose to incorporate under this model as the intention behind them is not to generate wealth for the individual members or directors.