Quoted Companies Alliance

What Quoted Companies Alliance does

The Quoted Companies Alliance (QCA) is a UK membership-based trade association and policy advocacy body founded in 1992 and headquartered at 6 Kinghorn Street, London. It champions a community of more than 1,000 small and mid-sized publicly traded businesses on the London Stock Exchange's Main Market, AIM and the Aquis Stock Exchange, together with the advisory firms that serve them. The QCA operates a small secretariat of 11–50 staff organised into policy & research and membership, operations, marketing, sponsorship, events & communications, and is governed by a Board.

The QCA's core product is its membership service, sold in two tiers — Corporate membership (£2,950/annum) for public companies and Adviser membership (£7,450/annum) for brokers, lawyers, accountants, registrars and other professional services — generating recurring subscription revenue. On top of this, it sells a portfolio of boardroom guides (Audit, Remuneration, Nomination, Environmental & Social Committee Guides at £280 each; the QCA Corporate Governance Code at £450; Board Performance Review Guide at £130–£140), runs paid training such as the £1,950 Director Growth Programme, and monetises events, webinars, podcasts and publications through sponsorship. Its technology footprint is limited to a WordPress/WooCommerce website (theqca.com) used to publish content, sell publications and host member resources.

The QCA's primary strategic asset is its policy influence. It engages directly with the FCA, FRC, HM Treasury, the Department for Business and Trade and shadow party functions, and holds formal nominating-body status on the UK Takeover Panel. It coordinates seven Expert Groups (Corporate Governance; Accounting, Auditing & Financial Reporting; Legal; Markets; Share Schemes; Tax; Primary Markets) that drive consultation responses and good-practice guidance. Documented regulatory outcomes include removal of stamp duty on AIM/ISDX shares (2014), ISA inclusion of AIM shares, exemption from the EU CSDR settlement regime, doubling of the CSOP limit (2023) and influence over the UK Secondary Capital Raising Review (2022). The QCA Corporate Governance Code, adopted by 89% of AIM companies, is the leading governance standard for UK growth companies, and the QCA/YouGov Small and Mid-Cap Sentiment Index has tracked the sector across 33+ waves since 2011.

Name

Quoted Companies Alliance

Legal name

The Quoted Companies Alliance

Website

https://theqca.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Quoted Companies Alliance is a London-based UK trade association founded in 1992 that champions more than 1,000 small and mid-cap publicly traded companies and their advisers through tiered membership, governance publications, policy advocacy and member events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Corporate membership subscriptions: Annual recurring membership fees from publicly traded UK companies on the Main Market, AIM or Aquis Stock Exchange. Standard price £2,950/annum with a discounted new-joiner price valid until 30 June 2026. Memberships recur annually and unlock access to Expert Groups, free guides and event discounts.
2. Adviser membership subscriptions: Annual recurring membership fees from advisory firms supporting quoted companies (brokers, lawyers, accountants, registrars, PR, headhunters, consultants). Priced at £7,450/annum with recurring billing and access to the full range of benefits.
3. Publication sales: One-time sales of boardroom guides, governance codes, research reports and supporting materials (e.g., QCA Audit Committee Guide £280; QCA Remuneration Committee Guide £280; QCA Nomination Committee Guide £280; QCA Environmental and Social Guide £280; QCA Corporate Governance Code £450; Board Performance Review Guide £130–£140). Many guides provided free to members.
4. Event ticket sales: Ticketed events including webinars, roundtables, workshops and the Director Growth Programme. Examples: Director Growth Programme £1,950; Effective Remuneration Committees workshop £500; some events free or members-only. Sponsorship of events, webinars, podcasts, research and publications also offered to members and non-members via a sponsorship brochure.
5. Sponsorship opportunities: Sponsorship of events, webinars, podcasts, research and publications offered to both members and non-members across a range of budgets to create enduring brand value and lead generation for partners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Quoted Companies Alliance (QCA) is a UK membership-based trade association that develops and publishes the QCA Corporate Governance Code, sells a family of boardroom guides (Audit, Remuneration, Nomination, Environmental & Social, Board Performance Review), research reports (e.g., Banking on Britain), the QCA/YouGov Small and Mid-Cap Sentiment Index, the Director Growth Programme, and a programme of webinars, roundtables, workshops and conferences for UK small and mid-cap quoted companies and their advisers. It also runs seven Expert Groups that produce consultation responses to UK regulators and government on governance, accounting, legal, markets, share schemes and tax.

Product overview

The Quoted Companies Alliance (QCA) is a UK membership and advocacy body that "champions the UK's community of 1000+ small and mid-sized publicly traded businesses and the firms that advise them," rather than a software vendor. Its portfolio is structured around a flagship governance code, a suite of paid boardroom guides and research publications, a quarterly sentiment index survey, a Director Growth Programme, an events programme, and policy engagement delivered through seven Expert Groups and a published library of consultation responses. The QCA Corporate Governance Code sits at the centre, supported by the QCA Code – Supporting Information and FAQs; surrounding it are member-paid Committee Guides (Audit, Remuneration, Nomination, Environmental and Social) plus the Board Performance Review Guide and research reports such as Banking on Britain. Membership tiers (Corporate and Adviser) gate access to the QCA/YouGov Small and Mid-Cap Sentiment Index surveys, the Expert Groups (Corporate Governance, Accounting/Auditing/Financial Reporting, Legal, Markets, Share Schemes, Tax), the events programme (webinars, roundtables, the Annual Conference, Annual Dinner and Director Growth Programme workshops) and the consultation response library, with the Podcast extending reach on Spotify.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• QCA Corporate Governance Code: The number one governance code for UK growth companies, developed and published by the QCA for more than a decade.
• QCA Director Growth Programme
• QCA Small and Mid-cap Sentiment Index

Products and services

• QCA Membership (Corporate & Adviser) Two-tier annual membership of the QCA: Corporate Membership for UK public companies on the Main Market, AIM or Aquis (£2,950/annum) and Adviser Membership for firms that support quoted companies such as brokers, lawyers, accountants and PR firms (£7,450/annum). Members receive access to Expert Groups, policy and lobbying participation, free boardroom guides and newsletters, the QCA Corporate Governance Code, member discounts and exclusive events.
• QCA Corporate Governance Code The QCA's flagship governance code developed and published as the leading governance framework for UK growth companies that are not subject to the UK Corporate Governance Code. Adopted by 89% of AIM companies and used to improve dialogue between companies, investors and wider stakeholders. Priced at £450.00 per copy.
• QCA Director Growth Programme A boardroom-focused development programme helping directors adapt, learn and grow; offers 15 hours of CPD and is delivered as an in-person cohort course priced at £1,950.00 per attendee.
• QCA Audit Committee Guide Practical guide for company audit committee members in small and mid-size quoted companies, helping them be effective in their roles, meet investor expectations and comply with best regulatory practice. Priced at £280.00.
• QCA Remuneration Committee Guide Guidance for remuneration committee members in small and mid-sized quoted companies, balancing the interests of shareholders, executives, the wider workforce and other stakeholders. Priced at £280.00.
• QCA Nomination Committee Guide Guide for nomination committee members in small and mid-cap quoted companies covering board composition and director succession matters. Priced at £280.00.
• QCA Environmental and Social Guide Guide supporting small and mid-cap quoted companies in addressing environmental and social (ESG) matters proportionately. Priced at £280.00.
• QCA Code – Supporting Information and FAQs Supporting information and FAQs accompanying the QCA Corporate Governance Code; available to members on login to assist with code interpretation and application.
• Board Performance Review Guide Guide providing practical guidance for small and mid-cap quoted companies in assessing and improving their approach to board performance reviews. Priced between £130.00 and £140.00.
• Banking on Britain Research Report Research report making the case for the British Business Bank to get behind the UK's junior market and catalyse more investment for UK growth companies; downloadable PDF.
• QCA Events Programme Programme of webinars, roundtables, dinners, lunches, workshops, conferences and receptions — including the flagship QCA Annual Conference, Annual Dinner, Director Growth Programme workshops and QCA Directors' Briefing Webinars — connecting members with policymakers, fund managers and peers. Many events are free or members-only, with selected paid workshops and programmes.
• QCA/YouGov Small and Mid-Cap Sentiment Index Quarterly tracking index, run by QCA/YouGov since 2011, measuring business sentiment across the small and mid-cap quoted company sector and covering confidence in the UK economy, hiring intentions, turnover expectations, access to finance, corporate governance, fiscal incentives and more. Published as downloadable reports (Wave 1 through Wave 33+).

Quantifiable outcome

• Small and mid-caps represent 91% of all UK quoted companies, employ 2.1 million workers and contributed over £25 billion in taxes in 2020/21.
• +10 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core research partner, research partner, featured member testimonial, featured member testimonial and expert group host, community event partner, policy engagement, core market partner, market partner, key policy counterpart, formal governance role and sponsor / historical research partner.

• UHY Hacker Youngcore research partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-produces the annual AIM Good Governance Review with the QCA, including the 2020/21 and 2021/22 editions that analysed governance disclosures of 50 small and mid-caps with focus on Covid-19 recovery, ESG and board evaluations.
• Hardman & Cocore research partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-authored multiple landmark QCA reports including 'Punching above their weight? The contribution of small and mid-cap quoted companies to markets, employment and tax revenues' (2022) and 'Good jobs come to those who IPO' (2021) on the link between IPOs and workforce expansion.
• Peel Huntcore research partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint partner on the QCA / Peel Hunt Mid and Small-Cap Investor Survey, conducted annually from 2020 to 2021 and focused on liquidity, research access and post-Covid growth.
• YouGovcore research partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer of the QCA/YouGov Small and Mid-Cap Sentiment Index (since 2011, 33+ waves) and earlier retail investor surveys (e.g., 2020 survey of over 500 UK retail investors).
• Henley Business Schoolresearch partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-produced QCA's Board Performance Review Report and the 2020 QCA report 'ESG in Small and Mid-Sized Quoted Companies: Perceptions, Myths and Realities'.
• Allenby Capitalfeatured member testimonialGTM or Marketing PartnerQCA member providing public endorsement of the QCA's lobbying role; Nick Naylor, Chief Executive, is quoted on the QCA homepage.
• Cavendishfeatured member testimonialGTM or Marketing PartnerQCA member providing public endorsement of the QCA's network and policy engagement; Lisa Gordon, Chairman, is quoted on the QCA homepage.
• Crowe U.K. LLPfeatured member testimonial and expert group hostGTM or Marketing PartnerAdviser member providing public endorsement of the QCA's guides; also hosts Tax Expert Group meetings at St Bride's House, 10 Salisbury Square, London, EC4Y 8EH.
• Inspired PLCcommunity event partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner hosting the 'Energy Unplugged' event (11 June 2026, Manchester) promoted to the QCA community via QCA newsletter and email.
• Freshfields (Mark Austin)policy engagementImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerQCA engaged with Freshfields' Mark Austin during and after the consultation on the UK Secondary Capital Raising Review (2022), which he chaired.
• London Stock Exchange (AIM)core market partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe QCA is the dedicated trade body for AIM-listed companies and engages with the London Stock Exchange on AIM Rules consultations, including AIM Notice 44 (2016), AIM Rules Review (2017) and AIM Notice 51 (2018). The founding fathers of the QCA were prime movers in the creation of AIM in 1995.
• Aquis Stock Exchangemarket partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerQCA engages Aquis as part of its stated focus on growing its reach beyond AIM onto the Aquis Stock Exchange, and has submitted responses to Aquis consultations (e.g., Aquis Support Services, November 2025).
• Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)key policy counterpartOthersThe QCA engages regularly with the FCA as one of its 'Big Five' policymaker targets, submitting consultation responses on listing rules, MiFID II, sustainability disclosures and primary markets effectiveness.
• Financial Reporting Council (FRC)key policy counterpartOthersOne of the QCA's 'Big Five' policy engagement targets; the QCA regularly submits responses to FRC consultations on the UK Corporate Governance Code, Stewardship Code, FRS 102 amendments and audit/governance reform.
• HM Treasurykey policy counterpartOthersOne of the QCA's 'Big Five' policy engagement targets; the QCA submits annual Budget Representations to HM Treasury and engages on tax, ISA reform, share schemes, pensions investment review and Financial Services Growth Strategy.
• Department for Business and Trade (DBT)key policy counterpartOthersOne of the QCA's 'Big Five' policy engagement targets; the QCA engages DBT on the Non-Financial Reporting Review, UK Sustainability Reporting Standards, smarter regulation and industrial strategy.
• Takeover Panelformal governance roleOthersThe QCA is a nominating body of the UK Takeover Panel; CEO Tim Ward is the QCA's appointed representative on the Panel and former Chairman Michael Higgins is the alternate.
• BDOsponsor / historical research partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerBDO is referenced as a partner on the early waves of the QCA Small and Mid-Cap Sentiment Index (QCA BDO Sentiment Index branding visible on Waves 10–17, 2014–2016 reports) and hosts QCA Expert Group meetings at 55 Baker Street, London.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• UK Finance: UK Finance is the trade association for the UK banking and finance industry, with similar policy advocacy, member-funded revenue and engagement with FCA/HM Treasury. It overlaps with QCA on broader capital-markets policy but serves a wider constituency (banks and large lenders) rather than quoted small-caps.
• TheCityUK: TheCityUK is the industry-led body promoting the UK financial and professional services industry. While it operates across banking, asset management, insurance and markets (rather than focusing narrowly on small-cap quoted companies), it competes with QCA for sponsorship, member mindshare and policy influence in the same Whitehall and City of London stakeholder map.
• British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA): BVCA is the UK trade association for private equity and venture capital, with policy engagement and member services that parallel QCA's model. It represents the private-market counterpart to QCA's public-market constituency, competing for policy influence and adviser memberships in the same growth-company ecosystem.
• AIMA (Alternative Investment Management Association): AIMA is the global hedge fund and alternative investment trade association with a strong UK presence and policy engagement similar to QCA's. While its member constituency is different (alternative asset managers vs. quoted small-caps), the membership model, policy advocacy approach and City of London footprint are directly comparable.
• Confederation of British Industry (CBI): The CBI is the UK's largest broad business membership body, lobbying government on behalf of UK businesses of all sizes. It competes with QCA for sponsorship, policy access and members' policy-influence budget but operates across the entire UK economy rather than the quoted small/mid-cap niche QCA dominates.
• Chartered Governance Institute (CGI / ICSA): The CGI is the professional body for governance professionals, offering qualifications, publications and policy input on UK corporate governance. It overlaps with QCA on governance standards and committee guides and shares the same FCA/FRC stakeholder network, though its focus is the governance profession rather than quoted small-cap issuers.
• Institute of Directors (IoD): The IoD is a UK membership body for company directors offering governance guidance, training, and policy advocacy. Its director-development and governance content offerings overlap with QCA's Director Growth Programme and Corporate Governance Code, though it serves directors across company sizes rather than quoted small/mid-caps specifically.
• Investment Association (IA): The Investment Association is the UK trade body for the asset management industry, representing investment managers on stewardship, regulation and market structure. It engages the same FCA/FRC/HM Treasury stakeholders as QCA and is a frequent counterpart on small-cap research, liquidity and listing reform consultations.

Direct peers

• EuropeanIssuers: EuropeanIssuers is a pan-European trade body representing listed companies and stock exchanges on EU corporate governance, listing and capital markets policy. It is the closest analogue to QCA at a continental level, with a similar advocacy model and member-funded structure focused on listed-company interests.
• The 100 Group: The 100 Group represents the finance directors of the FTSE 100 and runs the FD-led policy engagement with FRC, BEIS and HMRC on financial reporting. It is a peer to QCA in operating a finance-director-led, policy-influencing trade body in the UK quoted-company ecosystem, although its members are much larger.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/quotedcompanies
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@quotedcompaniesalliance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-quoted-companies-alliance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Quoted Companies Alliance