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Get in touch with the Co-operatives UK advice team for help with your application.

Register your co-operative

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Choosing to incorporate with Co-operatives UK





Tell us about your organisation
Organisation Details

Co‑operatives UK will check to ensure it is available and meets the requirements for registration. For a society please include Limited, and for a company please choose limited/LTD/other

 


Help to find the registration number here: https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/
What is your co-operative's registered address?

Your address must be in the United Kingdom or the Channel Islands and cannot include a PO box.




Please confirm the following


If you want to access more information on how we use your data, please read our privacy policy

What type of Co‑op do you want to register?


Not sure what type of co‑op is right for your organisation?





CCH


If you would like to speak with someone from the CCH, you can contact them here. 

Co-operatives UK partners closely with CCH, an organisation dedicated to supporting housing co-operatives. If you choose to join CCH, you can benefit from 50% discount on Co-operatives UK membership once your first year of Co-operatives UK membership is due for renewal.


Co-operatives UK partners closely with Workers.coop, an organisation dedicated to supporting worker co-operatives. If you choose to join Workers.coop you can benefit from a 50% discount on Co-operatives UK membership once your first year of Co-operatives UK membership is due for renewal.

More information can be found here.

Company Registration

Community Interest Company


Here we are looking for what the intended benefits to the community are. Community can be said to be the community at large. For example, are you relieving poverty or homelessness through the provision of social housing?

For instance, will the society be confined to a specific location; or a group of people? Please note that in serving the needs of any defined community, the society should not inhibit the benefit of the community at large.

Please provide as much detail as possible to enable the CIC Regulator to make an informed decision about whether your proposed company is eligible to become a community interest company. For example, how you think your company will be different from a commercial company providing similar services or products for individual or personal gain

Details about your organisation

If not applicable please write N/A

Tell us about your organisation 





For example, will you be providing social housing, running an amateur sports club etc
The Charities Act 2011 defines a charitable purpose, explicitly, as one that falls within 13 descriptions of purposes and is for the public benefit. 
Please state which purpose or purposes the society will be furthering through its activities. 
You can find a list of the charitable purposes here.

To select multiple items in the list, hold down the Ctrl (PC) or Command (Mac) key. Then click on your desired items to select. 

Here we are looking for what the intended benefits to the community are. Community can be said to be the community at large. For example, are you relieving poverty or homelessness through the provision of social housing?

The business of the society must be conducted for the benefit of the community. Please describe how the society's business benefits the community.

For instance, will the society be confined to a specific location; or a group of people? Please note that in serving the needs of any defined community, the society should not inhibit the benefit of the community at large.

For instance, are you intending to apply for grants, seek capital from members, take out a loan.

For instance, will you pay a dividend to members to members (and if so on what basis); will money be reinvested in the business; put into reserve; used for some other purpose (please specify)

Please tell us how you will ensure that any such conflicts of interest do not prevent the society from acting for the benefit of the community.

Co-operative Society


For example, providing housing, manufacturing goods, developing IT systems.

For example, members are former employees of a printing company, who were recently made redundant and wish to form a co‑op to provide themselves with a fair wage and choose how they run the co‑op for the benefit of their worker members.

For example, the co‑op will pay a living wage to it's employees who will eligible to become members and who will be involved in decisions made about the business of the co‑op.

For example, will the members elect a board at an annual general meeting; with will all members collectively run the society?

For instance, will you pay a dividend to members (and if so, on what basis) will money be reinvested in the business; put into reserves; used for some other purpose?

Who should we contact about this registration?

This is the person that we will correspond with if we have any questions about your application.




Financial Contact

Money Laundering Checks
The Money Laundering Regulations 2017 requires Co-operatives UK to identify its customers before registering a new organisation. In the first instance, Co-operatives UK will undertake an electronic check on the details provided for the relevant people in this letter of engagement.

If you wish Co-operative UK to assist with this registration we are required to check the identify of the person or organisation paying our fees for this work. Please note, we will not be able to proceed with any work until this process has been completed.

There are a number of options available, please choose the relevant option below and provide the additional information requested.

We can invoice a named individual - either the primary contact or somebody else - or an organisation. If a person is to be invoiced we will need their date of birth and their most recent addresses. If we are invoicing your organisation, we need either your companies house registered address or a set of accounts. We also need the name and address of a contact to issue the invoice to.

In order for us to assist with the registration we have a legal obligation to undertake to check on the personal data for the people you list in the application within this tool. A check will be undertaken as per Clause 2.3 of the Experian Data Services End Users Terms, and Clause 3.1 of the Equifax Customer Terms Schedule as part of our agreement with SmartCredit. Both sections are highlighted within this document link.



We need the following details to process the invoice.






DD/MM/YYYY





Please enter previous address




Please enter one of the below options


Please note that although work can begin on your application straight away, Co-operatives UK will only be able to submit your application to the registrar once the invoice balance has been settled. 

Customise your Model Rules

With the details that you give us below, our team will create a governing document or rules for you.
Co-operative Consortium




Multi-Stakeholder Co-operative




Composition of the board of directors | Rule 76






Worker Co-operative




Community Benefit Society


The Rules of all societies must include a quorum for general meetings. Please insert the preferred figure - this is usually a percentage.


Composition of the board of directors | Rule 69

B) [Up to] [X] Directors as representatives appointed/nominated by [insert name of organisation] (or any body that succeeds to its function)







Charitable Community Benefit Society



The Rules of all Societies must include a quorum for general meetings. Please insert the preferred figure above - this is usually a percentage.

Composition of the board of directors | Rule 76

B) [Up to] [X] Directors as representatives appointed/nominated by [insert name of organisation] (or any body that succeeds to its function)





Fully Mutual Housing Co-operative Society Model Rules


Tenant Management Housing Co-operative Society Model Rules

Housing Co-operative (General Meeting Governed) Model Rules

Please add an amount
Mutual Home Ownership Society Model Rules
There are no standard options or insertions for the Mutual Home Ownership Society model rules.

For more information: Please download and read the model rules
Leaseholder Land Co-operative Model Rules
There are no standard options or insertions for the Leaseholder Land Co-operative model rules.

For more information: Please download and read the model rules
Shared Ownership Housing Co-operative Model Rules
There are no standard options or insertions for the Shared Ownership Housing Co-operative model rules.

For more information: Please download and read the model rules
Community Benefit Society

Choose this option if the Society intends to operate in accordance with the Co-operative Values and Principles.



If issuing transferable shares, societies may wish to take legal advice as to whether the issue falls within the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA).

The Rules of all societies must include a quorum for general meetings. Please insert the preferred percentage figure to go alongside the minimum 3 members the legislation requires. eg. 3 members or 10% of the membership


Composition of the board of directors | Rule 86

B) [Up to] [X] Directors as representatives appointed/nominated by [insert name of organisation] (or any body that succeeds to its function)





Eligibility to serve on the Board | Rule 123


Charitable Community Benefit Society

Choose this option if the Society intends to operate in accordance with the Co-operative Values and Principles.



If issuing transferable shares, societies may wish to take legal advice as to whether the issue falls within the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA).

The Rules of all societies must include a quorum for general meetings. Please insert the preferred percentage figure to go alongside the minimum 3 members the legislation requires. eg. 3 members or 10% of the membership

Composition of the board of directors | Rule 86

B) [Up to] [X] Directors as representatives appointed/nominated by [insert name of organisation] (or any body that succeeds to its function)





Eligibility to serve on the Board | Rule 125


Co-operative Consortium

Non-User Investor Members are those who have only an investment relationship with the Co-operative through the purchase of share capital and do not participate in the services of the Co-operative. In line with FCA guidelines, this model includes provisions that restrict the rights of Non-User Investor Members should you choose this option. These restrictions are: 
(a) Limiting the voting rights of Non-User Investor Members.
(b) Prohibiting Non-User Investor Members from voting on a motion to convert the Co-operative into a company, transfer its engagements to a company, or amalgamate with a company.



If issuing transferable shares, societies may wish to take legal advice as to whether the issue falls within the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA).

The Rules of all societies must include a quorum for general meetings. Please insert the preferred percentage figure to go alongside the minimum 3 members the legislation requires. eg. 3 members or 10% of the membership
Eligibility to serve on the Board | Rule 132



Multi-Stakeholder Co-operative

Free choice 1


Free choice 2



Non-User Investor Members are those who have only an investment relationship with the Co-operative through the purchase of share capital and do not participate in the services of the Co-operative. In line with FCA guidelines, this model includes provisions that restrict the rights of Non-User Investor Members should you choose this option. These restrictions are: 
(a) Limiting the voting rights of Non-User Investor Members.
(b) Prohibiting Non-User Investor Members from voting on a motion to convert the Co-operative into a company, transfer its engagements to a company, or amalgamate with a company.



If issuing transferable shares, societies may wish to take legal advice as to whether the issue falls within the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA).

The Rules of all societies must include a quorum for general meetings. Please insert the preferred percentage figure to go alongside the minimum 3 members the legislation requires. eg. 3 members or 10% of the membership

Composition of the board of directors | Rule 103






Eligibility to serve on the Board | Rule 142



Worker Co-operative


Non-User Investor Members are those who have only an investment relationship with the Co-operative through the purchase of share capital and do not participate in the services of the Co-operative. In line with FCA guidelines, this model includes provisions that restrict the rights of Non-User Investor Members should you choose this option. These restrictions are: 
(a) Limiting the voting rights of Non-User Investor Members.
(b) Prohibiting Non-User Investor Members from voting on a motion to convert the Co-operative into a company, transfer its engagements to a company, or amalgamate with a company.



If issuing transferable shares, societies may wish to take legal advice as to whether the issue falls within the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA).

The Rules of all societies must include a quorum for general meetings. Please insert the preferred percentage figure to go alongside the minimum 3 members the legislation requires. eg. 3 members or 10% of the membership

Composition of the board of directors | Rule 103




Eligibility to serve on the Board | Rule 154



Customise your Model Articles

With the details that you give us below, our team will create a governing document or rules for you.
Consortia Model - Shares


Consortia Model - Guarantee


Multi Stakeholder 




Worker Coop Limited by Guarantee


Worker Coops Limited by Shares


Community Interest Co-operative by Guarantee




Community Interest Co-operative by Shares




Amendments to your model agreements

The £200+VAT subsidised fee includes up to 6 amendments to the model governing documents. If you wish to make more than 6 amendments please contact Co-operatives UK for confirmation on the final fee.
Amendments


Founding members

We need to take details of your founding members as we are required to check the identity of the person.

Co‑operatives UK is required by law to identify its customer before registering a new organisation. In the first instance, Co‑operatives UK will undertake an electronic check on the details provided for the relevant people.

Companies are required to have a minimum of 2 founding members whereas societies are required to have a minimum of 3. 
Your Founding Members



This includes any company directors, 'persons in significant control' (PSCs) - that is, people who have significant influence over the way the company is run.

Digital authorise directors to file information online

You can digitally authorise directors to file information online with Companies House when you incorporate a company.

This means directors can: 
  • instantly file most information online as soon as the company is incorporated, without entering an authentication code
  • digitally authorise other people to file online for the company

Note:
Companies require at least one director. The Founding Member entered on this page will be registered as a director (unless the Organisation option is selected). If the Organisation option is chosen, you must select at least one other founder member to be a director when prompted.

Someone else



A signature will be required from each founder member to complete this application. We encourage applicants to provide them electronically. Please provide an email address to allow us to do this.

DD/MM/YYYY





Please enter previous address




Further Details




Each person who will be a founding member of a company must sign the declarations.







Organisation


Primary Contact - Further Details


DD/MM/YYYY





Please enter previous address








Each person who will be a founding member of a company must sign the declarations.







Founding Member 2
Please add details of all your founding members for the organisation.



A signature will be required from each founder member to complete this application. We encourage applicants to provide them electronically. Please provide an email address to allow us to do this.

DD/MM/YYYY

Current address






Please enter previous address







Further Details




Each person who is a founding member of a company must sign the declarations.





Founding Member 3
Please add details of all your founding members for the organisation. 



A signature will be required from each founder member to complete this application. We encourage applicants to provide them electronically. Please provide an email address to allow us to do this.

DD/MM/YYYY

Current address






Please enter previous address




Companies Only



Further Details
Each person who is a founding member of a company must sign the declarations.









Secretary





A signature will be required from each founder member to complete this application. We encourage applicants to provide them electronically. Please provide an email address to allow us to do this.


An electronic signature will need to include: mother's maiden name, place of birth, and National Insurance number.

We only need the first 3 letters of your mothers maiden name

We only need the first 3 letters of your place of birth

We only need the last 3 digits of your NI Number






About your members

Additional Founding Members

If you need more than one additional founder member please click 'Add Another Founder Member'. You can add up to a maximum of seven.



A signature will be required from each founder member to complete this application. We encourage applicants to provide them electronically. Please provide an email address to allow us to do this.

DD/MM/YYYY
Each person who is a founding member of a company must sign the declarations.



Due to the new statutory requirements placed on Co-operatives UK as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) to verify the identity of directors and Persons of Significant Control (PSCs) of new companies, and the associated increased costs, if you would like us to register the company with more than 2 initial directors this will incur a cost of £15 per additional director. If you have any questions, you can get in touch with us at [email protected].




Please enter previous address



Further Details
Each person who is a founding member of a company must sign the declarations.









About your members

Beneficial members
In accordance with the Money Laundering Regulations we are required to check all the beneficial members of any new organisation we are asked to register.

A beneficial member is:
  • any person who exercises control over management (e.g.) a founder member or director of an organisation
  • any person who owns or controls more than 25% of the shares or voting rights of the organisation

Beneficial Members
A member of our advice team will be in touch to discuss your beneficial members and whether they meet the threshold for needing to be included in your application to the registrar.

Your annual return date will be automatically created and will be the last day of the month you company is registered. This can be changed, post registration via the online Companies House account for your company or by submitting an AA01 form by post.
When will the company start trading?








In its first 3 months will the company do any of the following?
In some situations, a company may need to account for Income Tax. The most common situations are listed below.

Tell us if the company will:
  • pay interest on any non-bank loans, for example to a director who has loaned the company money
  • make royalty payments, for example for using someone else's patent
  • receive interest or dividend payments from overseas investments


This is an email address that Companies House can use to contact the company or someone acting on its behalf.
In future they will start using it to send important information that relates to your company, for example filing reminders or warnings about missed deadlines.
It will not be shown on the public register.

Your accounting reference date

Please confirm the date on which the proposed co-operatives financial year will end (account referencing date).
If you do not provide an ARD it will automatically become the anniversary of the last day of the month it was registered in.

Please note, the period the first financial year covers cannot be shorter than six months or longer than eighteen months

No financial year can be longer than eighteen months.




Co-operative UK Membership


Incorporating your organisation via our registration service entitles you to standard membership of Co-operatives UK (normally £120 plus VAT) at no extra cost.

Benefits include discounts on events, training and advice products.

Sign up now to enjoy these great benefits by providing the information below.

Find out more here







Contact Preferences



Membership confirmation

Banking Services

Payment
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Registration costs £200* + VAT which includes the statutory fee. This fee is significantly subsidised thanks to Co‑operatives UK’s partnership with The Co‑operative Bank, which funds the Business Support for Co-ops programme.

Once you have submitted your application, we will share your details with The Co-operative Bank.
We're pleased to pass your details to The Co‑operative Bank, however, Co‑operatives UK is unable to take any responsibility for the next steps and for how quickly the Bank responds to you.

* The Co‑operative Bank reserves the right to review the account tariff for Community Directplus customers who exceed any one of the following annual limits: credit turnover exceeds £1 million, deposit more than £100,000 in cash, or deposit more than 5,000 cheques. When submitting your application on The Co‑operative Bank’s website, your application is subject to status. This means your financial circumstances will be assessed and credit checks completed.
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