Share registar? Can I get details?

[megaphone]

Is there a list of ordinary shareholders, for a particular company, say BP, available in the public domain? I want to find out if an individual has bought shares in a PLC.

[LeoSayer]

I stand to be corrected, but I thought that plc share registers are in the public domain so you should be able to ring up and ask.

However the chances are the shares are in the nominee name of a custodian bank.

[Claudia Skies]

I believe you need to be a shareholder yourself in order to have the right to inspect the register.

However, note the "nominee" point above.

[gregf40]

In all probability the answer is 'no' OP.

[jfbrin]

Actually, it used to surprisingly quite easy to do.
Phone Registrar
"I'd like to check a holding"
Quote full name and address.
The Registrar should be able to confirm current holding if the shares are registered in that name if it exists on their records.
It may be a premium rate line though.
If shares are held in nominee company, you will not get confirmation from Registrar.

[Simpo Two]

Well apparently, according to my recent investigations, Companies House can sell you a list of all shareholders for £1 online or £3 otherwise. 0303 1234500.

[Claudia Skies]

Simpo Two said:

Well apparently, according to my recent investigations, Companies House can sell you a list of all shareholders for £1 online or £3 otherwise. 0303 1234500.

That is correct, but the list is only filed at Companies House once a year so is likely to be out of date. Also bear in mind that if it's a big company you may get sent a list of 60,000 names.

In contrast, the Company's own Registrar keeps an up-to-date list in real time.

You pays your money and you takes your choice!