Picking a Corporate Vehicle: Not Just a Matter of Taste

Ltd, LLP, CIC, CIO – the UK loves an acronym almost as much as it loves a well organised queue. But behind each of these lies a different type of legal structure, each with its own quirks, perks and pitfalls. Picking the right one isn’t just a box-ticking exercise for your lawyer – it’s structural engineering for your entire business, shaping everything from who calls the shots to how you raise capital (and explain things to the taxman).

If you're setting up shop – whether it’s a tech-driven startup, a social enterprise, or your gran's jam empire – here’s your guide to the main corporate forms under English law.