Industrial and provident society - Definition

An Industrial and Provident Society (IPS) is a legal entity for a trading business in the United Kingdom. It is used for businesses without share capital such as various forms of co-operatives, some social enterprises, mutual investment companies, friendly societies and housing associations.

Some industrial and provident societies are charitable. Under British law they are exempt charities and are unable to register with the appropriate authority (in England and Wales the Charity Commission). The regulator for IPSs is the Financial Services Authority.