UK Company Types Explained (Companies House)

When you search UK businesses on firmlist, one of the most useful filters is Company Type. Companies House assigns a company type to each registered entity, reflecting its legal structure.

Filtering by company type helps you:

• Build cleaner lead lists (less noise)
• Target the right buying behaviour (SME vs enterprise vs professional firms)
• Exclude structures that don't match your use case (e.g., non-profit entities)

What is a "company type"?

A company type is the legal form under which an organisation is registered. It typically determines:

• ownership model (shares vs members/guarantors)
• liability (limited vs unlimited)
• reporting obligations
• how the organisation can raise funds

Common UK company types (and what they mean)

Private company limited by shares (LTD)

This is the most common type for UK trading businesses.

• Owned by shareholders
• Liability is limited to the value of shares held
• Profits can be distributed as dividends

Why it matters for B2B lists

If you're selling to UK SMEs, LTDs are usually your primary target.

Useful filters to pair with

• SIC codes to define sector
• Incorporation date to target new vs established firms

Reference: GOV.UK describes limited companies as either limited by shares or limited by guarantee. Limited by shares is the typical trading company structure. See: Types of limited company (GOV.UK).

Private company limited by guarantee (LBG)

Common for membership organisations, clubs, charities and non-profits.

• No shareholders
• Has guarantors and a "guaranteed amount" instead of shares
• Surpluses are usually reinvested rather than distributed

Why it matters for B2B lists

If you sell commercial products/services to trading businesses, you may want to exclude LBG entities to reduce noise. If you sell to charities, associations, sports clubs, or community organisations, LBG companies may be highly relevant.

Reference: GOV.UK explains guarantors and the "guaranteed amount". See: Guarantors (GOV.UK).

Public limited company (PLC)

PLCs are typically larger organisations and can offer shares to the public.

• More complex regulatory and reporting obligations
• Often enterprise-scale

Why it matters for B2B lists

PLCs can be great for enterprise selling, but often have:

• longer procurement cycles
• more formal vendor onboarding
• slower decision-making

Limited liability partnership (LLP)

A partnership structure with limited liability, often used by professional firms.

• Registered at Companies House
• Has members rather than shareholders
• Often used by: accountants, legal firms, consultancies, investment firms

Why it matters for B2B lists

If you sell to professional services, filtering for LLPs can be a high-quality segment.

Reference: GOV.UK Companies House guidance on LLP incorporation. See: Limited liability partnerships: incorporation and names (GOV.UK).

Community Interest Company (CIC)

A social enterprise model: a limited company designed to benefit the community rather than purely private profit.

• Still a limited company type, but with additional features/constraints
• Used for community benefit activities and social enterprises

Why it matters for B2B lists

CICs are often irrelevant for conventional sales targeting, but very relevant if you serve:

• social enterprises
• charities/community projects
• local organisations

References: GOV.UK CIC definition and guidance. See: Community interest companies: business activities (GOV.UK). See also: Community Interest Companies Guidance (GOV.UK).

How to use company type filters in firmlist

When to select a single company type

Use a single type when you want clarity and high relevance.

Examples:

• Target LTD only for SME sales lists
• Target LLP only for professional services lead lists

When to select multiple company types

Use multiple types when your market naturally spans structures.

Examples:

• LTD + LLP for "business services" where both buy (software, finance, insurance)
• LBG + CIC for community/social-sector outreach

Practical examples (use-case driven)

• Accountant selling onboarding services: focus on newer incorporations (e.g., last 30-90 days), primarily LTD, possibly LLP.
• Enterprise supplier: include PLCs and larger LTDs; pair with sector SIC codes.
• Charity/social enterprise supplier: include LBG and CIC; exclude PLCs if irrelevant.

Related guides

• Company Status Explained
• SIC Codes Explained
• Company Numbers & prefixes
• Postcode & location filtering
• Company age & incorporation date
• Other indicators

Sources (further reading)

• GOV.UK - Types of limited company
• GOV.UK - Guarantors
• GOV.UK - LLP incorporation and names
• GOV.UK - CIC business activities
• GOV.UK - CIC guidance chapters