Frequently asked questions
Short, honest answers to what people ask us most. If you want the longer version of why we are building 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- 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 over time their considered feedback can be gathered into a collective voice that company management has a reason to answer.
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 room 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. A specialist verification partner, the kind banks and exchanges use, confirms you are a real, unique person. All that comes back to us is the result. We keep that result, not your passport and not your face. To join the waitlist we do not even ask your name, just an email.
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. You can also browse every board by index in our company directory.
Is it free to join?
Joining as a private shareholder is free. There will be a separate paid tier for institutional and professional investors who want dedicated access. Over time, we may charge companies to interact with or learn from their shareholders through the platform. Either way, you join the waitlist now and we will tell you when your place is ready.
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 verified 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. Members also disclose whether they are long or short when they discuss a position, so everyone can weigh what they read. 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 room considered, alongside quiet, private recognition for members who add quality rather than volume. A reputation layer that rewards good contribution is coming.
How do I join, and when does it launch?
The Shareholders Board is forming now, and we are assembling the founding members. Join the waitlist with your email and we will keep you posted as we move towards launch, roughly every couple of weeks. Being early means being among the first verified members in.