Company formation in Cardiff

Starting a business in Cardiff

Cardiff is the capital of Wales, and the council's leader has called it "the economic driving force behind Wales". Cardiff Council reports a strong research base and a growing technology sector. The city is part of the Cardiff Capital Region Investment Zone, backed by £160 million from the UK and Welsh Governments, which has a dual focus on advanced manufacturing and digital and technology, with the region's compound semiconductor cluster at its centre. The council plans to develop its Cardiff South site as an innovation district for digitally led services.

Cardiff Council's own business support guide also signposts sector bodies for fintech, the creative industries, life sciences, manufacturing and compound semiconductors, which gives a good picture of who starts companies here: software and fintech firms, TV, film and design businesses, engineering suppliers, and professional services consultancies, as well as hospitality and retail.

Whether a limited company is right for your tax position depends on your situation, so speak to an accountant if you are unsure.

Which registered office do you need?

Wales has a choice that the rest of the UK does not. A Cardiff company can be registered in one of two ways:

• England and Wales. This is the usual choice. The registered office can be anywhere in England or Wales, so our central London address works. Our Registered Office Address service costs £250 a year, and official mail is scanned and emailed to you.
• Wales only. The Companies Act 2006 (section 88) defines a "Welsh company" as one whose entry on the register says its registered office is to be situated in Wales. Companies House form AD05 states that a Wales company's registered office address must be in Wales. Only a Wales company may use a Welsh name ending, such as Cyf instead of Ltd.

Because we do not have an address in Wales, our London registered office cannot be used by a Wales-only company. If you want a Welsh company, for example to use the Cyf ending, you can still form it with us using your own Cardiff address, or another address in Wales, as the registered office.

A company can move between "England and Wales" and "Wales" by special resolution and form AD05, but this does not change the address itself, so plan the address at the start. Our Edinburgh address is only for Scottish companies.

We do not have an office in Cardiff. We are based in Edinburgh and work fully online.

Local support for new businesses in Cardiff

• Business Wales is the Welsh Government-backed service giving free, independent advice to people starting, running and growing a business in Wales. Its Start up service is for people over 25, and Big Ideas Wales helps people aged 25 or under. The helpline is 03000 6 03000, and Welsh-language calls are welcome.
• Cardiff Council's Economic Development team offers advice on growth, funding, premises, innovation and new markets, and manages the Cardiff Start Up Units across several sites in the city.
• The Development Bank of Wales is listed in the council's guide as a source of business finance.

Example: a bilingual design studio

This is an illustration, not a real client. Gethin and Elin are graphic designers in Cardiff who work for Welsh-language broadcasters and want their company name to end in Cyf. That means a Wales company with a registered office in Wales, so our London address is not an option.

They chose the Digital Package at £290 and used the address of their rented studio in Cardiff as the registered office. Both verified their identity with us online, and the company was registered within 24 hours. They then contacted Business Wales for start-up advice and asked Cardiff Council about the Start Up Units.

How it works

1. Check your name and order online.
2. Verify your identity. As a Companies House Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), we check each director and person with significant control (PSC) and help you get your personal code.
3. We file the application with Companies House. Most companies are registered within 24 hours of us receiving complete details.
4. Collect your documents in your online account, and we register the company with HMRC for Corporation Tax.

Next steps

For a Wales company, or any company using your own Cardiff address, the Digital Package at £290 is the right starting point. For an England and Wales company that should not show your home address, choose the Privacy Package or add our London Registered Office Address. Start with a free company name check.

Frequently asked questions

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