Control without ownership: what the PSC check means
What it means when someone is registered as controlling a company through significant influence rather than shares or votes, and why it calls for closer checks.
- Severity
- High
- Category
- Governance
- Plan
- Free and above
- Test code
- GOV-040
What this test checks
Looks for persons with significant control who are registered only because they exercise significant influence or control over the company, without holding shares or voting rights or the right to appoint the board.
It is the least transparent route to control on the register, because it describes power that does not show up in the company's ownership.
What a fail looks like
At least one person controls the company through influence alone. That can reflect nominee shareholders, contractual arrangements or informal power over the people who formally run it.
Harmless explanations
- A founder who has sold their shares but still directs the business, or a family member who advises the board, may be registered this way to be transparent.
- Some advisers register cautiously where they are unsure whether a relationship counts.
What to do
- Ask the company to explain the nature of the influence.
- For higher-risk relationships, carry out enhanced checks on the person concerned, including sanctions and disqualification.
Background: Persons with significant control.
Related tests
- GOV-030PSC Registered Check
- COM-032PSC Individual Sanctions Match
- GOV-056Corporate PSC Trust-Held Control
Part of the test catalogue. Every check Senserity runs, with its severity and the plan it is available on.
Last reviewed .