Who usually owns a limited company?

• A. The customers
• B. The board of directors
• C. Shareholders
• D. The employees

Answer: (C)

Ownership in a limited company comes from holding its shares. Those who own shares have an equity stake in the business, meaning they are the owners, and their influence is proportional to how many shares they hold. They typically elect a board of directors to run the company on their behalf, set strategy, and oversee management. The board’s responsibility is to act in the interests of the owners, not to own or operate the business themselves. Customers provide revenue, and employees contribute labor, but neither automatically owns the company unless they hold shares or participate in an equity plan. Therefore, the usual owners are the shareholders.