Insights
Industry Insights
The UK is moving towards a fully digital shareholding model, with plans to eliminate physical share certificates for UK incorporated, UK listed companies by the end of 2027. This shift is designed to modernise market infrastructure, improve transparency and efficiency and reduce the risks and costs associated with paper-based processes.
At Computershare, we are playing a central role in helping issuers navigate this transition. Drawing on our global experience in delivering dematerialised markets, this hub provides the insights, guidance and updates you need, supporting you and your shareholders in every step towards a digital-first future.
Progress
Learn moreTrack the latest developments, timelines and industry activity shaping UK dematerialisation, including taskforce updates, key milestones and what issuers should expect next.
Recommendations
Learn moreA summary of the UK’s digitisation roadmap, outlining key recommendations, governance response and what the transition to dematerialisation means for issuers, shareholders and market infrastructure.
FAQs
Learn moreClear answers to common dematerialisation questions, covering timelines, governance risks, shareholder impacts and what issuers should be doing now to prepare.
Preparation
Learn moreHow Computershare is preparing issuers for dematerialisation, including planning delivery, global expertise and support for transitioning to digital registers ahead of 2027.
Digitisation webinar
Watch our expert-led webinar for the latest updates on UK dematerialisation, including what issuers need to know now, key developments and how Computershare is supporting the transition to digital registers. Register to access on demand and hear directly from our digitisation specialists.
Governance Readout Newsletter
Stay up to date with every development in UK dematerialisation by subscribing to our Governance Readout newsletter. Receive timely updates, expert insights and practical guidance as new information emerges, helping you stay informed and prepared at every stage of transition.
Computershare’s role in Hong Kong and Ireland
Computershare played a key role in supporting dematerialisation in a number of countries across the world, including Hong Kong and Ireland. This experience empowers issuers to transition to uncertificated, digital securities with confidence and clarity.
Hong Kong
Supporting issuers transition to a dematerialised market
Historically, Hong Kong has been a paper-based certificated shareholding system. To modernise, HKEX and the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) initiated the Uncertificated Securities Market (USM) regime, enabling shareholders to hold legal title in electronic form. As one of the major share registrars in Hong Kong, Computershare played a fundamental role in negotiating the technical, legal and operational arrangements that will support issuers’ transition, with responsibilities including:
- Operational design and readiness – preparing issuer registers, workflows and controls to support uncertificated holdings once the USM is implemented
- Issuer and shareholder engagement – supporting listed companies and investors through changes to shareholding models, shareholder communications and registry processes
- Market infrastructure collaboration – working alongside HKEX, regulators and issuers to test and implement processes that support dematerialisation while maintaining shareholder protection
Computershare have been a key delivery partner for issuers in Hong Kong, showcasing our ability to turn regulatory reform into operating reality for companies and their shareholders.
Supporting Ireland migration and dematerialisation
Ireland’s migration of the Irish securities market to Euroclear Bank (EB) represented one of Europe’s most significant post-trade reforms in recent years. Subsequent to the migration to EB, Ireland were required to transition to book-entry recording of shares by 1 January 2025 in order to comply with Article 3(1) of the European CSD Regulation. The transition included the move from physical certificates towards a full dematerialisation and modernised settlement. As a leading issuer services provider and registrar, Computershare’s role included:
- Supporting Euroclear migration – working closely with Euroclear Bank, issuers and intermediaries, Computershare played a pivotal role in defining the revised technical interface and associated procedures, helping registers align with the new post-trade infrastructure
- Executing dematerialisation for issuers – supporting Irish-listed and Irish-domiciled companies in converting certificated holdings into electronic form
- Managing shareholder transitions – assisting investors through the move to dematerialised ownership, including communications, reconciliation and register integrity
- Ongoing governance and compliance support – ensuring issuer registers continue to meet Irish company law, corporate governance and settlement requirements in a fully dematerialised environment
Computershare’s deep experience of dematerialisation initiatives across multiple regions has been instrumental in delivering reform at issuer and shareholder level, ensuring a seamless transition, compliance and expert advisory during the process.
Let’s talk
Contact us to learn more about our comprehensive share registry solutions and how we can help meet your specific needs.