How do I set up a limited company in the UK?

You register with Companies House, either directly or through an agent, which takes as little as 24 hours online and costs a small filing fee. You'll need a company name, a registered office address, at least one director and shareholder, and a memorandum and articles of association (standard templates are fine for most small companies). Once formed you must also register for Corporation Tax with HMRC within three months of starting to trade. An accountant can handle the whole process for you and make sure the company structure suits your situation.