I do not want my details as shareholder and director to appear on the public record. What can I do?

In Hong Kong, corporate transparency is a core principle of company regulation. Under the Companies Ordinance, certain information about directors, shareholders, and officers must be filed with the Companies Registry and is accessible to the public. That said, there are legal and widely accepted methods to reduce your personal exposure while remaining fully compliant with Hong Kong law.

1. Appoint Nominee Shareholders and Nominee Directors

One of the most effective solutions is using nominee shareholder and nominee director services. A professional nominee appears on the public record instead of you, while you remain the beneficial owner and retain control. Your interests are protected through private legal documents such as:

• Declarations of Trust
• Nominee agreements
• Powers of attorney and indemnities

These documents are legally binding but are not publicly disclosed.

2. Use a Corporate Shareholder

Holding shares through a separate corporate entity (such as an offshore or holding company) allows the company’s name to appear on the public register instead of your personal details. This structure is commonly used by international investors seeking enhanced privacy and asset separation.

3. Register a Correspondence Address

Directors​‍​‌‍​‍‌ in Hong Kong are allowed to use a correspondence address for their public filings instead of their residential address. Although regulators are always able to get access to the full details if necessary, this greatly reduces the information that is available to the ​‍​‌‍​‍‌public.

Although Hong Kong does not allow complete anonymity, proper structuring can greatly enhance privacy while staying within the law. Near the end of the setup process, many business owners choose Nominee Services from Offshore Company Services to professionally manage nominee shareholders and directors, ensuring confidentiality, control, and full regulatory compliance.