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Contractor limited company naming tips

Posted Jul 28, 2011

If you have decided to contract via your own limited company, one of the first tasks you need to do is choose a suitable name for your new enterprise.

Assuming you are not taking over an existing company, there are several things you need to consider before making your choice:

1) Make sure the name is appropriate for a contracting business - your clients, accountant and other service providers will not be impressed by an unprofessional name.

2) You may decide to use your company for non-IT activities at some stage, so it may be an idea not to make the name too specific to your current skillset or industry.

3) You must not use any trademarked words or expressions in your company name.

4) All limited company names must end in "limited", or "cyfyngedig" in Wales. The abbreviated alternatives are "ltd" or "cyf".

5) The company name must not be the "same as" another existing name - more detail on this requirement can be found via the Companies House site (see below).

6) You may not use a number of "sensitive" words in your company name - so as not to mislead the public. These include names which may suggest that your company is a member of an official body, or which are controlled by separate organisations. Again, these sensitive words are listed in appendices on Companies House guidance GP1 (see below).

7) It is worth checking domain name availability simultaneously, so your company name and website address are the same.

8) Bear in mind that you can change your company name at any time, via Companies House. This requires a special resolution to be passed, a £10 fee and the completion of Companies House Form NM01.

Further Information

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