Display of Company Name

Georgina Waterman

• 2 min read
Display of Company Name

Every company must display its company name on the outside of every office or place in which its business is carried on - even if it is a director's home.

The name must be clearly displayed and must be both conspicuous and legible.

Although the use of brass name plates are a popular method of displaying your name – anything can be used that will remain clear after being exposed to the elements outside.

Companies must disclose their registered name on:

  • business letters
  • notices
  • official publications
  • websites
  • bills of exchange
  • promissory notes
  • endorsements
  • order forms
  • cheques signed by or on behalf of the company
  • orders for money, goods or services signed by or for the company
  • bills of parcels
  • invoices
  • demands for payment
  • receipts
  • letters of credit
  • applications for licences to carry on a trade or activity
  • all other forms of their business correspondence and documentation

Companies must disclose the following particulars on their business letters, order forms and websites:

  • the part of the United Kingdom in which the company is registered
  • the company's registered name and number
  • the address of the company's registered office
  • that they are a limited company (for companies exempt from the obligation to use the word 'limited', and for community interest companies that are not public companies)
  • that they are an investment company (where appropriate)

What you are legally required to include on your website & emails

Since 2007, the Companies Act has stated that registered companies must display certain information on their website and in their emails or they will be in breach of the act. Not doing so will mean you risk a fine.

  • name, geographic address and email address of the service provider. The name of the organisation with which the customer is contracting must be given. This might differ from the trading name. Any such difference should be explained as “ABC.com is the trading name of ABC Enterprises Limited”
  • the registration number and the place of registration should be stated (e.g. “ABC Enterprises Limited is a company registered in England and Wales with company number 1234567”)
  • if your business is a member of a trade or professional association, membership details and any registration number, should be provided
  • if you have a VAT number, it should be stated – even if your website is not being used for e-commerce transactions
  • it is not sufficient to include a ‘contact us’ form without also providing an email address and geographic address

Get in touch

Please contact one of the team for further information on any of these areas.

Phone: 01508 333040

Email: office@abcabacus.co.uk

Website:abcabacus.co.uk