Set up a share class
Add a class of shares to a company with its nominal value, voting rights, other rights and certificate numbering.
Screenshots are retaken from IQ Entities on every release. Updated 14 October 2026.
Every holding on a cap table belongs to a share class, so a class is the first thing a new company needs and the first thing to add when the articles create a new one, such as a B class for an employee scheme or a preference class for an investor. Take the details from the articles or the resolution that created the class.
Add the class
Open the company and choose Share Classes in its sidebar.
Choose New share class, then New share class again. Import from other entity copies a class from another company in the group instead, which saves typing when subsidiaries share the same capital structure.
On Settings, give the Share class name and choose its Security type. Enter the Par value and its Currency: a UK company's shares must each have a fixed nominal value, so IQ Entities asks for one. For a voting class, tick Has voting rights and set the Votes per share; leave it clear for a non-voting class.
In Certificate code, give the pattern for this class's certificate numbers, such as
B-*. The*is replaced with the next number each time a certificate is issued.Choose Next. On Rights & restrictions, record what the articles say about dividends, liquidation, redemption and conversion. Further down, tick the transfer restrictions that apply, such as Tag along, Drag along or Right of first refusal.
On Certificate, add the legend and share terms to print on this class's certificates, then review the class and choose Create share class.
Which date to use
| The class was created | Use as Created date |
|---|---|
| On incorporation | The date of incorporation |
| By a later resolution of the members | The date the resolution was passed |
Tips from practice
- Record a right of first refusal on the class if the articles have one. A transfer in that class then waits for pre-emption to be offered or waived before the board can approve it.
- Use Reserve shares… from a class's menu to set shares aside for a scheme. Nobody holds them, but they stop counting as available to issue, so the headroom shown on the cap table is what can be allotted.
- Once the class exists, see Record an allotment of shares.