Company formation content to get you started.

Writing a good grant application can be the difference between securing funding or missing out. Our blog runs through the top considerations you need when it comes to writing a winning grant application. 

As a wedding caterer, your main goal is likely to make sure the happy couple have a great day, and that everything goes as smoothly as possible. On top of this, though, you’ll face the added challenge of creating a stable, competitive business that earns plenty of custom and does things by the book.

When forming your company with us you will notice an optional extra on the basket page; a Fraud Protection service. In this post we’re going to explain how the service works and ultimately, how it protects you and your business from becoming a victim of fraudulent activity.

Our unique side hustle ideas to get your 2024 business plans off the ground! Our blog lists 10 unique ideas to inspire.

Looking to make some money alongside your full-time responsibilities? Look no further than our side hustle series. Today, we delve into the world of freelance Personal Training. Are you looking for a fulfilling and personable side hustle? Read our handy guide to learn more.  Looking for another opportunity? Our Side Hustle Series is here […]

Looking to make some money alongside your full-time responsibilities? Look no further than our side hustle series. Today, we delve into the world of virtual Assistants. Are you an organised and social person looking for remote job opportunities online? Read our handy guide to learn more.  

Are you looking to grow your professional network, share experiences, and find support in your career journey? If the answer is yes, then you’re in the right place. Women’s networking groups are fantastic platforms that can help you achieve just that. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned professional, or simply someone who wants to […]

Welcome to our series: Women in Business. Over August, our four-part blog series delves into the current business environment and the state of female entrepreneurship. Examining the current landscape of female entrepreneurship andthe challenges and setbacks faced by women who want to start their own ventures. 

Welcome to our series: Women in Business. Over August, our four-part blog series will be delving into the current business environment and the state of female entrepreneurship. Examining the current landscape of female entrepreneurship and the challenges and setbacks faced by women who want to start their own ventures.  Our last blog explored the empowerment […]

  The concept of outsourcing is a very misunderstood one. From a broad perspective, it is essentially putting a certain business practice or process in the hands of another party. Outsourcing is sometimes associated with a reduction in quality, however this is not necessarily the case.

Starting a production company used to be right up there with becoming an astronaut or rock star as one of those fantasy careers that mums and dads would gently dissuade their children from pursuing. Established production companies were simply too dominant, the opportunities too few and the costs too high for new companies to have […]

There is very little that dampens the entrepreneurial spirit of the UK – as the rise in company formation figures demonstrates. Historically, it was widely perceived that financial reward was the fundamental motivation for most budding entrepreneurs. However, a recent […]

Lack of capital is one of the major reasons why startups fail. Some entrepreneurs theorise that raising capital can be a full-time six-month job for CEOs and this leaves bootstrapped startups with very few resources to operate and grow their business in the early stages.

Funding from grants can be an incredibly useful asset for small businesses, and it's a vote of confidence for your business and its purpose.

If you are a business owner in the UK, you might be familiar with the concept of Value Added Tax (VAT). VAT is a tax on the value added to goods and services, as a business owner, you are required to register for VAT if your taxable turnover exceeds a certain threshold.  While […]

If you’re from outside the UK and are considering setting up a UK company, you may feel daunted by the amount of work involved. Doing it at a distance can seem like an impossible task, but when you break it down, it’s entirely achievable. 

During the limited company formation process you need to provide a number of different addresses: Registered office Shareholder address Person with significant control address Director’s service address Director’s residential address In this post we’re going to concentrate on the final address is this list; the director’s residential address. Whilst this is clearly where the director […]

Since April 2016 all UK limited companies and limited liability partnerships should be keeping a Register of People with Significant Control (PSC) in the company. This information should then be included in the Confirmation Statement – which has now replaced the Annual Return. In this post you’ll find everything you need to know about PSCs.

MadeSimple Group and ANNA (Absolutely No Nonsense Admin) Money have announced a partnership to offer a free company registration with a business bank account to support new entrepreneurs. Together, MadeSimple and ANNA are aiming to boost aspiring entrepreneurs by simplifying the company formation process and helping with the costs associated.

As we enter the final month of the year, the UK government have unveiled their Autumn statement which announces their plans for spending and tax for the year ahead. This blog will explore what exactly the Autumn Statement is, what the 2023 Autumn Statement has announced and how it affects you as a small business […]

Data from PitchBook places London in the top ten for having the most ‘developed’ tech ecosystem in the world. London is placed amongst cities like San Francisco, Beijing and Seoul, it’s the only European city to make the top ten with its closest placed city- Berlin – in the top 20.  

It’s an issue that affects many people when they are beginning to form their company, what do you call it? We like to showcase great tips and tricks when it comes to company names – so that when you register with us you can make the right decision from the beginning.

Startups face the unique challenge of translating passions and ideas into repeatable profits. If you want to scale your business successfully, you need systems that support your goals. The great news is that with today’s technology, you no longer have to rely on manual processes and spreadsheets as your business grows. There are many powerful […]

In the bakery business, we all know it’s important to make your products sell like hotcakes. However, this is also the tricky aspect of running a successful bakery: timing. Knowing when to waft the smell of freshly baked pastel de natas down the street at just the right time during the morning commute is an […]

First thing’s first: as any entrepreneur will tell you, there’s never a right time to start a business. You’ll always have reasons to delay your project. Maybe you find the thought of losing financial security too daunting, or perhaps you’re struggling to get to grips with how the company creation process works. But if you […]

Wholefood Heaven are David and Charlotte Bailey, a husband-wife team who are cooking up a storm with their healthy street food. We first became aware of them thanks to their pitch at Whitecross Street Market, where their souped-up van consistently attracts the largest queue. And it’s easy to see why. Their now legendary Buddha Bowl is super delicious […]

Ever wondered if a clothing combo looks great, or is just plain … plain? Sophia Matveeva has come up with an app to help; Style Counsel. Simply take a snap of what you’re wearing and send the picture to the Style Counsel community, who’ll then share their expert opinions. We caught up with Sophia to […]

When moving shares from one person to another (or to a corporate shareholder) you should complete a stock transfer (J30) form. This is for the records of the company and for the reference of all shareholders involved. 

Inspired by a question received from a customer (thank you!) – in this post we answer the following “What is a limited company subscriber?” and “Can they be changed after a company has been formed?”.

When you get a good idea, sometimes it can’t wait. It’s a sudden rush – inspiration strikes. You just get that golden idea and you want to safeguard it right away.

Last Updated: 12/09/2014 You can now download a copy of the J30 Stock Transfer Form from your dashboard on our site. Simply login at Companies Made Simple!

 Everyone who forms a Limited Company with Companies Made Simple gains access to their own online admin portal. The homepage of the admin portal is the “Dashboard”.

The minimum age for a director of a UK Limited Company is 16 years old. That’s 5843.88 days or 140253 hours. If you are forming your limited company with us our system will automatically not allow the appointment of any director under 16. This post was brought to you by Mathew Aitken at Companies Made […]

You may have heard a lot about digital tax recently, as the government’s ‘Making Tax Digital’ (MTD) initiative ramped up at the start of the new financial year. Eventually, business owners across the UK will be affected by MTD but many are still unsure about what digital tax really means and how it will affect […]

Every successful business begins with a comprehensive and airtight business plan. A business plan serves as a roadmap for your business which outlines your goals, your finances, and your strategies and provides you with a clear direction for your entrepreneurial journey.  

There are many benefits to having a dedicated business bank account. It allows you to track your business’s financial performance, gives you projections, makes budgeting more accessible and can provide a clear overview of your finances to prevent issues during tax time. Luckily, setting up a limited company bank account in the UK is […]

TikTok is one of the fastest-growing social media platforms out there. With over 30 million daily users and a hyper-curated user algorithm, it’s a great place to promote your small business.  However, getting started on TikTok can be daunting, especially if you’re not familiar with the platform or any social media. In this blog […]

Breaking into the property development industry can be a rewarding enterprise, but you’ll likely face a number of challenges on the way. Aside from being great at selling, developers must excel at marketing, project management, property market analysis, and most importantly, understanding what buyers want and need.

As a wedding caterer, your main goal is likely to make sure the happy couple have a great day, and that everything goes as smoothly as possible. On top of this, though, you’ll face the added challenge of creating a stable, competitive business that earns plenty of custom and does things by the book.