The Share Centre started life back in 1991 with a clear mission - to give people a way to share in the wealth of the stock market by providing affordable and accessible share services. Today, we look after customers' shares and cash with a value of over £1 billion in some 210,000 Share Accounts and ISAs. Not just for individuals but for Investment Clubs and companies' employees too.

How have we managed to achieve this? First and foremost, providing share services is all we do - no banking products, no insurance policies, just stock market investments. And because we are experts in what we do, we think we can provide one of the most personalised and friendly services on the market: you speak directly to our people, not some call centre in a far-off place.

And we continually look to improve our services, while maintaining our fair value approach. In 1996 The Share Centre introduced one of the lowest-ever minimum commissions for buying shares: just £2.50. And that remains the same today.

We played a leading role in helping new investors buy shares in the privatisations of the '80s and '90s and offered share services for the de-mutualised plcs. Today we continue to play a substantial role in ensuring investors can find out about the companies they invest in, can take an active interest in those companies and can find out about new companies coming to the stock market. We support industry organisations such as ProShare and APCIMS and lobby for improvements to shareholder rights - our 2006 campaign for better treatment for nominee shareholders led to changes to the Company Law Reform Bill. And we are active in helping young people learn about investing through our Shares4Schools investment competition.

Do call 0800 800 008 and talk to us - you'll find us friendly, straightforward and down-to-earth. Naturally, our services are certified to ISO 9002 quality standards and we are accredited Investors in People. We're members of various trade bodies aimed at improving understanding of, and access to, the stock market and enjoy a good working relationship with our regulator, the Financial Services Authority. We are also a member of the London Stock Exchange.

If you'd like to find out more, please take a look at our About us section.