How do I find out what parent company a particular agency belongs to?

[BradNeedsYourHelp]

I have the name of an agency, I want to find out the name of its parent company, and then also, more importantly, all other companies that belong to that parent company.

Some agancies openly state this on their website (e.g computer people), other's do not. Particular sister companies I have noticed.

Anybody able to help?

Thanks in advance.

[Helios]

Most agencies openly declare by their name, what company they belong to. Reed Technology and Reed Pro Services are both Reed Agency.
Computer People and Generic software cosultants are same agency.

Even Clients follow this trend. Seimens Business Services are the same as Siemens Pro Services.

Anyone had a call from a yappy recently offering £250 a day, for a rollout contract, then asking about previous interviews and who u spoke to? Agency crap.

[AtW]

Try looking at shareholder info from Companies House - you may have to buy a few reports to unravel the chain of companies owning each other but there is a good chance you find main one, even though they may use offshore company to prevent tracking main one.

[Fleetwood]

Chances are it's an S3 company.
Go to www.sthree.com and download their annual report which gives the list of all the companies in the group, or alternatively, post the ag*ncy name here and we'll tell you.

[threaded]

Why not just ask them?

If they won't tell you then that is a clear indicator they are to be avoided.

[Clog II The Avenger]

Try looking at shareholder info from Companies House - you may have to buy a few reports to unravel the chain of companies owning each other but there is a good chance you find main one, even though they may use offshore company to prevent tracking main one.

Just a thought, are there any restrictions in offshore companies owning shares in UK limited companies?

[AtW]

Just a thought, are there any restrictions in offshore companies owning shares in UK limited companies?

I don't think so (at least insofar as LTDs are concerned - public companies are regulated stricter) - UK is very liberal in this respect.

[Darren@UptonAccountants]

Holding Co's

Just a thought, are there any restrictions in offshore companies owning shares in UK limited companies?

ATW is correct, not too many restrictions. The accounts that are available at Companies House should disclose the ultimate controlling part of a company and as ATW states, the annual return should show who owns the company shares of a limited company.

[The Lone Gunman]

ATW is correct, not too many restrictions. The accounts that are available at Companies House should disclose the ultimate controlling part of a company and as ATW states, the annual return should show who owns the company shares of a limited company.

Welcome back Darren, good holiday? Was it a honeymoon?

[Darren@UptonAccountants]

Hols

Afternoon LG, great holiday thanks. Honeymoon was last year, this year was for fishing & tourist stuff!