# Is ampersand (&) a valid character in people names?

**URL:** <http://forum.companieshouse.gov.uk/t/is-ampersand-a-valid-character-in-people-names/1782>\
**Category:** Data Issues\
**Created:** [April 28, 2018, 5:19pm UTC](http://forum.companieshouse.gov.uk/t/is-ampersand-a-valid-character-in-people-names/1782 "2018-04-28T17:19:17Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![dmw](http://forum.companieshouse.gov.uk/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dmw](http://forum.companieshouse.gov.uk/u/dmw)\
**Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 5:19pm UTC](http://forum.companieshouse.gov.uk/t/is-ampersand-a-valid-character-in-people-names/1782/1 "2018-04-28T17:19:17Z")

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Here’s an example:  
Paulo &Christiana DE SOUSA TEIXEIRA

> **[Paulo &Christiana DE SOUSA TEIXEIRA - Personal Appointments (free...](https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/Em7jdsqo2H1ZsR2QVhu6OA_uuZw/appointments)**

It appears to be an attempt to make 2 people joint directors - but that is not allowed. They can each be a director, but they can’t be the same director.