If you’re thinking of starting a small business in Singapore, you could have heard of the word “nominee director.” But what exactly does this mean, and how do it benefit your business? In this post, we’ll have a closer look at Singapore nominee director services and how they are able to help you reach your business goals.
Exactly what is a Nominee Director?
A nominee director is a person or a company that’s appointed to act as a director of a company on behalf of another person or entity. The nominee director doesn’t have any executive power or authority within the company, but rather acts as a placeholder for the real director or owner of the company. Quite simply, the nominee director’s name appears on the official company records and documents, but they do not make any decisions or take any actions on behalf of the company.
Why Do Companies Use Nominee Director Services in Singapore?
There are several explanations why companies use nominee director services in Singapore :
Compliance with local regulations: Under Singapore law, every company must have at least one director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore. Therefore the director should be a Singapore citizen, permanent resident, or someone who has been issued an Employment Pass or Entrepreneur Pass. If you’re a foreigner who is starting a business in Singapore, you may not meet these requirements, and for that reason, you will have to appoint a nominee director who satisfies these criteria.
Protection of privacy: Some companies may prefer to keep their names off the general public records and documents of the business. By appointing a nominee director, the business enterprise owner can maintain their anonymity while still having the capacity to operate their business.
Facilitation of business operations: Sometimes, the business owner will not be in a position to be physically within Singapore to manage the day-to-day operations of the company. By appointing a nominee director who’s locally based, the business owner can make sure that their company complies with local regulations, and that operations run smoothly.
Expansion into new markets: In case a business owner is looking to expand their business into new markets, they may want to appoint a nominee director who has understanding of the local market and can help the company navigate the neighborhood business environment.
Benefits of Using Nominee Director Services in Singapore
There are several benefits to using nominee director services in Singapore:
Compliance with local laws and regulations: As stated earlier, every company in Singapore will need to have a minumum of one director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore. By appointing a nominee director who satisfies these requirements, you can ensure that your company complies with local regulations.
Protection of privacy: If you value your privacy and desire to keep your name off the public records and documents of one’s company, a nominee director will help you achieve this.
Facilitation of business operations: In case you are unable to be physically present in Singapore to manage your company’s operations, a nominee director might help make sure that your company complies with local regulations, and that operations run smoothly.
Flexibility: Nominee director services are flexible, and you may appoint a nominee director for as long or as short a period as you need. This is often especially useful when you are testing the waters in a new market and are uncertain how long you need to stay in Singapore.
Cost-effective: Nominee director services can be more cost-effective than hiring a full-time director, particularly if you only need someone to become a placeholder or for a brief period of time.