1.4 Legal Structure

Started in 2009 as Freegle UK, an unincorporated organisation, we transitioned via a holding company with 3 Directors to Freegle Ltd. The company converted from a Company Limited by Guarantee to an Industrial and Provident Society in June 2014, and 9 Directors were appointed following election by volunteers.

Freegle was granted exempt charity status by HMRC in 2015, to enable gift aid claims on donations and to attract other external funding.

On 1st June 2026, the FCA approved a name change, voted for at the 2025 AGM, from Freegle Limited to Freegle (AGM 2025 Agenda, Extraordinary resolution 8.1).

Now known as a Registered Society, we are registered with the Financial Conduct Authority and subject to our Rules. The FCA is the registering authority for societies. This role is different and separate from its role as a regulator of financial services: the FCA does not regulate societies - societies are regulated by the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014. The FCA's role relates to a society's compliance with the Act; it does not regulate the business, financial stability or conduct of societies.

• In-house explanation of a registered society: Registered_Society
• FCA registration 32410R: https://mutuals.fca.org.uk/Search/Society/9593
• Governing document: Rules
• Registered Office: 64a North Road, Ormesby, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR29 3LE
• HMRC registration XT32865: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxDLE82mEn2jUlRONmhMUmoyZHc/view?resourcekey=0-28IAV_sfkZcah2kjzJ4g7Q. The process for updating this is at Updating HMRC Charity Status Process.

• 1. What is Freegle
• 1.2 Freegle Objects
• 1.3 Vision, Mission, Values
• 1.5 Our strategic objectives
• 1.6 Public Benefit

Links:

• Potted History - chatty rundown of Freegle history
• Director Handbook