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Ownership in a company refers to how shares are held and who has legal or beneficial rights over them. In Singapore, the main types of ownership are:
1. Individual Ownership
Shares are held directly by a natural person in their own name. The individual has full rights to dividends, voting, and decision-making.
2. Corporate Ownership
Shares are held by another company (a corporate shareholder). The holding company exercises control through its appointed representatives.
3. Joint Ownership
Shares are held by two or more persons jointly. All joint shareholders collectively exercise rights, though typically only one is recognised for voting purposes (based on the company’s constitution).
4. Nominee Ownership
Shares are held by a nominee (e.g., a corporate service provider) on behalf of the beneficial owner. The nominee is the legal owner, but the actual benefits belong to the beneficial owner.
5. Beneficial Ownership
The person who ultimately owns or controls the shares and enjoys the economic benefits, even if the shares are registered in another name.
In practice, companies must maintain proper records (such as registers of members and beneficial owners) to reflect these ownership structures and comply with regulatory requirements.