It is a legal requirement that all limited companies keep and maintain a number of statutory records and registers, including:
- Minutes of board meetings
- Records of Shareholder Resolutions
- Register of members
- Register of directors
- Register of secretaries
- Register of charges
- PSC Register (from 6th April 2016)
The directors (and company secretary, if one has been appointed), have the responsibility of ensuring that these records and registers are accurate, up to date, and are available for public inspection at the registered office address or an appropriate single alternative inspection location (whose location must be notified to Companies House).
Failure to maintain the registers can have serious consequences – in some cases it is an offence and the officers in breach can be liable to pay a fine.
Records can be kept in hard copy or electronic format but it is essential that all companies keep their records up to date, as they are available to the public and can also be important on a sale of the business.