Questions, answered
Frequently asked questions
Short, honest answers to what people ask us most. If you want the longer version of why we built this, read our Founding Statement or why we chose verification.
What is The Shareholders Board?
The Shareholders Board is a community for verified shareholders of UK-listed companies. Every member is a real, verified person, so the discussion is free of bots and anonymous accounts. Members talk company by company on dedicated boards, and from time to time we collate their views, put them to the company in writing, and publish the response in full.
How is it different from an anonymous shareholder forum or share chat?
The old bulletin boards run on anonymity, which is what lets a handful of accounts pose as a crowd, ramp a price and pile on anyone who disagrees. We start from the opposite principle. Everyone here is a verified, real person, so there is accountability behind every post even when it is written under a nickname. We also organise each board around the questions that decide the investment rather than the share price that morning, so the people who have thought hardest get read.
Do I have to hand over my ID, and what happens to my documents?
The identity check is run by a third party, and we never hold your documents. Veriff, a specialist verification partner of the kind banks and exchanges use, confirms you are a real, unique person. When it is time to verify you will need a passport, driving licence or national ID card, and a phone to take a quick selfie. All that comes back to us is the result. We keep that result, not your passport and not your face. When you join, we ask your name and verify who you are, but only the handle you choose is ever public.
Can I post under a nickname?
Yes. You can use a nickname, and many members will. What you cannot be is anonymous in the way that causes the damage: a bot, a troll or ten accounts worn by one person. A real, accountable person stands behind every post, which is what makes considered conversation possible.
Can anyone read what I post?
No. Members' discussion is not published to the open web. It is available to verified members. The public page for each company carries only what we write ourselves, such as any letter we have sent to the company.
Which companies have a board?
There is a board for the UK-listed companies we cover, more than 1,400 of them. Once you are in, your home page shows the liveliest boards, so nobody arrives at an empty page, and you can head straight to the company you own.
Is it free to join?
Joining is free. There will be a separate paid tier for institutional and professional investors who want dedicated access and a suite of additional products that we will iterate and add to over time. In the future, we may charge companies to interact with or learn from their shareholders through the platform.
Is anything on The Shareholders Board investment advice?
No. The Shareholders Board is a community platform. Nothing on it is investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. It is a place to discuss the companies you own with other verified owners, not a tip sheet.
What is a certified shareholder badge?
If you choose to, you can show that you hold shares in a particular company. A holder statement is reduced to the single fact that you hold it, and the document is discarded. Showing your holding is optional; being a verified, real person is not.
How do you keep the discussion civil?
Moderation works on what people write, never on who they are or what they hold. Actions follow a ladder, in proportion to the breach and the history, and every action can be appealed to a person. We employ gentle nudges and rewards, with recognition focused on quality over volume.
How do I join?
From the homepage, choose Create your account. You give your email and a one-time code, pick a nickname, then take a two-minute identity check with a photo ID. Then the boards open.