Controlling Director

A director of a company who owns or controls 20% or more of the ordinary share capital of a company is deemed to be a controlling director. Shares owned by the director's immediate family are included in calculating the size of his/her stake. Whether you actually draw a salary is irrelevant.

If you're a controlling director of a company you may still make payments into a stakeholder pension as long as you are not 75 or over or already a member of an occupational pension scheme connected to your job. If you are already a member of such a scheme, you may not, as a controlling director, contribute to a stakeholder pension scheme as well.