Industrial and provident society
An Industrial and Provident Society (IPS) is a legal form for trading businesses in the United Kingdom. IPSs are regulated by the Financial Services Authority, which took the job over from the Registrar of Friendly Societies (both being supervised by the Treasury).
IPSs fall into two categories:
- bona fide co-operatives - these trade for the mutual benefit of their members, and the Registrar will judge the legality of their action by reference to co-operative principles (case law is very thin on the ground compared with that for companies);
- societies for the benefit of the community - these trade to benefit the broader community, and the Registrar will refer to charity law. Societies for the benefit of the community are granted charitable status by the taxation authority, the Inland Revenue, rather than the Charity Commission (in England and Wales).
IPSs may in general conduct any legal business except that of investment for profit.
Consumer, agricultural and housing co-operatives, working men's clubs, Women's Institute markets, allotment societies, mutual investment companies, friendly societies and housing associations usually incorporate as IPSs, as do some social enterprises. This process is facilitated by the existence of "model rules" developed by various federal bodies, which reduce the legal costs. Credit unions and building societies, which sprang from the same roots, are now governed by specific legislation.
Both types of IPS have a share capital, but it is usually not made up of equity shares like those in a company limited by shares, which appreciate or fall in value with the success of the enterprise that issues them. Rather they are par value shares, which can only be redeemed (if at all) at face value. The profits and losses of an IPS are thus the common property of the members. The share typically acts as a "membership ticket", and voting is on a "one member one vote" basis. The maximum individual shareholding is currently set at £20,000 (although other IPSs may hold more shares than this).
See also
Categories
Co-operatives in the UK | Legal entities | Types of companies | Social economy