Can I use an alias name as a director of limited company?

[UKBizBoy]

Hi this is m first post I've searched far and wide for an answer to this question, I really hope someone can help.

I have a limited company and want to start treading through that company for tax purposes and to protect my assets, I have multiple business interests to go through there from websites to product ranges, services and publishing.

As a director my name displays as my real name, I don't want to add a nominee but my real name being accessible by my customers is an issue for me, and it's not about misleading or being deceitful or anything sinister.

I have an alias name that all of my money is made under and is a brand I've developed, I have a fan base working in the adult entertainment industry my alias name protects me in many ways from extra interested fans.

I remember someone told me but I haven't had it confirmed that a director can name themselves as an alias/pen name in some circumstances, that's how it was explained to me and it didn't get any more specific.

Can anyone help with this, advice on whether I can change my director name to display publicly or on records as my alias name that I currently work under and will continue to for some time.

I understand companies house needs my real details which they have and if any legal issues come up then the bank may be legally obligated to give my name. It's only for the first instance when someone does companies house search out of curiosity to find out real details about me for no real reason that wouldn't relate to my business.

I hope I explained this alright and people understand it's just to protect my real name in an industry where it is wise to do that.

Thank you for reading

 

[COA_INC]

Happy New Year and Welcome to the forum!

I hardly believe that you'll be able to use an alias. What I would suggest is that you incorporate an offshore company as a parent company that you own. This offshore company does not need to trade.

It can simply own the shares of the company and you can appoint it as a director and shareholder of your existing company. A basic offshore company setup will provide sufficient privacy in your circumstances and will be legitimate approach using offshore services. This setup will not as taboo as a nominee director.

Let me know if this helps.

 

[WJP]

Welcome to the forum. You may want to have a quick read through some of these threads (the first, third, fifth and sixth) - http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/search.php?searchid=8962181 - to save everyone duplicating information here.


Hope that helps!

 

[The Resolver]

MJP - I'm not getting that link to work.whats the thread title?

It can simply own the shares of the company and you can appoint it as a director and shareholder of your existing company.

You can do that but it does not solve the problem since under s 155(1) of the Companies Act 2006 you still have to have at least one other director who is a natural person.

UKBizBoy-you must use your real name - although if you are a titled Lord you can use that name - titles for sale - and the real answer is to use a nominee. You say you are against that but why? If its about trust you can have a detailed service agreement with him acting effectively as a trustee with full accountability. You can still control the money flow and have a clause in the Articles to better control decision making by the shareholder. You can still also form an offshore company as CoacInc says and appoint it as a second director and ensure the Articles contain a clause that gives it permanent chairman casting vote powers so that you can always in that way prevent Board decisions by the nominee in breach of the agreement.

One reason I like answering questions here is that it disciplines me to re-read the law and often you learn/refresh knowledge a little more. For example reading s155 reminds me of the company law oddity known as a Corporation Sole which s155(2) allows as an alternative to the required 'natural person' as a director. It is another way to avoid naming yourself. It's mainly used in the church and by public office but some people have written as to how it could be used to avoid financial and personal accountability in business. This may be what you are referring to as having heard about before. Start your own church! DIdnt people try this to avoid Poll Tax? I imagine even if it could be used it would lead to all sorts of problems with suppliers and challenges from HMRC etc

 

[FirstClassVirtualOffice]

Why don't you just change your name by deed poll - or is that going too far?

 

[COA_INC]

You can do that but it does not solve the problem since under s 155(1) of the Companies Act 2006 you still have to have at least one other director who is a natural person.

This is why I suggest an offshore structure, that will provide a basic level of confidentiality.

 

[WJP]

MJP - I'm not getting that link to work.whats the thread title?

Resolver - if this was me for me I used the word "alias" as a search term and used the results returned...

 

[The Resolver]

This is why I suggest an offshore structure, that will provide a basic level of confidentiality.

For the offshore company, sure, but my point is that the UK company will still need another director who is a person not a company. UKBizBoy did not want to appoint a nominee and so, on hat basis, simply creating an offshore company that does not trade does not give any confidentiality over his name.

 

[Alan R Price]

"I have a limited company and want to start treading through that company for tax purposes and to protect my assets". I ought to point out that anything that is done with the specific intention of defeating creditors could, potentially, be overturned by a trustee in bankruptcy if the owner were to go bankrupt. For example, if a man transfers his share of the matrimonial home to his wife in anticipation of going into business so that if he goes bankrupt, it is protected, the law might well look on that as a fraud on the creditors. There is case law to support this.