Ownership through a trust: what the check means
Why it matters when a company's corporate owner holds control through a trust, why that hides the real owner, and what due diligence to carry out.
- Severity
- High
- Category
- Governance
- Plan
- Free and above
- Test code
- GOV-056
What this test checks
Looks for corporate persons with significant control whose control is recorded as held through a trust.
A company owned by another company acting as a trustee has two layers between you and the real owner: the corporate structure and the trust. Anti-money laundering rules expect regulated businesses to identify the individuals who ultimately own or control a company, and this structure makes that harder.
What a fail looks like
Control is held by a company through a trust. The beneficiaries, the people who ultimately benefit, are not visible from the company's register.
Harmless explanations
- Family businesses and estate planning often use trusts for legitimate reasons.
- Some pension and employee ownership arrangements hold shares through a corporate trustee.
What to do
- Ask who the trustees and the main beneficiaries are.
- For higher-risk relationships, ask for evidence of the trust and its beneficial owners before relying on the company.
Background: Persons with significant control.
Related tests
- GOV-053Corporate PSC Without Registration Number
- GOV-030PSC Registered Check
- GOV-040Significant Influence Without Ownership
Part of the test catalogue. Every check Senserity runs, with its severity and the plan it is available on.
Last reviewed .