Owner sanctions match: what the check means

What this test checks

Compares the individuals registered as persons with significant control of the company, its beneficial owners, with the individuals designated on the UK Sanctions List. A separate check (COM-033) does the same for corporate owners.

A designated owner is arguably more serious than a designated director: owners have a direct financial interest in the company, and a company owned or controlled by a designated person can itself fall under the sanctions.

What a fail looks like

An owner's name, and where available date of birth, matches a designated individual. If confirmed, the company may be treated as owned or controlled by a designated person.

Harmless explanations

• As with any name-based screening, a common or transliterated name can match the wrong person.
• A former owner who sold their interest before the designation may not affect the company today.

What to do

• Compare the designation details with the owner's register entry, including month and year of birth and nationality.
• Pause payments until the match is resolved.
• If confirmed, take legal advice: ownership or control by a designated person can bring the company itself within the sanctions.

Background: Sanctions screening.

Related tests

• COM-030Company Direct Sanctions Match
• COM-031Director Sanctions Match
• COM-033Corporate PSC Sanctions Match
• GOV-030PSC Registered Check

Part of the test catalogue. Every check Senserity runs, with its severity and the plan it is available on.

Last reviewed 3 October 2026.