How can I find out who the owners of a company in Switzerland are. Not the directors but shareholders. Has anyone had experience doing this? Thanks for any help you can offer, it would be really appreciated. Rich
Bit of Googling - All companies in Switzerland must keep a record of their shareholders (SA) or members (SARL, SCoop) containing the names of the shareholders and the number and categories of shares held by each shareholder. This register must be accessible at all time in Switzerland. Shareholders and members must identify themselves when they are entered into a register and they must report any changes in the facts recorded in relation to them. Changes in facts recorded in the lists and/or registers held by the company must be reported to the company by the shareholders/members. Changes in facts recorded in the commercial register must be reported to the commercial register by the company. Shareholders/members are allowed to report changes in their personal data directly to the commercial register (see art. 17 (2) of the Commercial Register Ordinance. In addition, the members of SARLs and general partnerships (société en nom collectif, SNC) must also be registered in the commercial register. (The shareholder register of SAs is held by the company itself and is not submitted to the commercial register.)
Thanks @chrisw. That's good that shareholders need to be recorded, so I wonder if I can access this information by searching an online register, but I'll be damned if I can find one. All I seem to be able to find is who the directors are etc. Cheers @El Toro I'll PM him. Much appreciated to both of you.
You won’t find shareholders details online but the company is obliged to give those details to you. Write to the company concerned and request the information. However, it’s Switzerland. I know not why you want the info but chances are the main shareholders are trusts and/or corporate entities, you may need to do a lot of digging.
I was thinking this was the reason you cannot find the info online. I know in this country you can get the information from companies house for a fee. Was hoping this was possible for a company in Switzerland also. Cheers for your reply.
