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.
Joining is free.
What is The Shareholders Board?
The Shareholders Board is a community for verified shareholders of UK- and US-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 shape the boards for considered discussion rather than volume, using light structure and friction so thoughtful contributions rise and bad-faith behaviour rarely gets started.
Do I have to hand over my ID, and what happens to my documents?
We do not run the identity check ourselves, 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.
Which companies have a board?
There is a board for the UK-listed companies we cover, more than a thousand of them, along with the top 150 US-listed companies. The home page surfaces the liveliest boards so that nobody arrives to 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 a particular stock. 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. Clear rules, a proportionate ladder of responses, human review and an appeals route keep the discussion considered. We employ gentle nudges and rewards, with recognition focused on quality over volume.
How do I join?
Through the homepage at theshareholdersboard.co.uk. Create your account and you're in. Being verified comes first: you confirm you are a real person, choose the handle you post under, and the boards are yours.