Which of the following business forms does the use of the abbreviation 'Ltd' after the name of a business indicate?

The abbreviation 'Ltd' signifies that the business is a private limited company. This form of company structure limits the liability of its shareholders to the amount unpaid on their shares, providing protection for personal assets against the company’s debts. In a private limited company, shares are not available to the general public and are typically owned by a small group of private individuals. This structure supports a close-knit management style while also offering benefits such as credibility and the ability to raise capital through the sale of shares to a restricted number of investors.

In contrast, a limited liability partnership or a limited partnership would not use 'Ltd,' as these structures have different implications regarding liability and ownership. A public limited company, while also limited, uses 'plc' which denotes its ability to offer shares to the public, thus distinguishing it from a private limited company. Therefore, 'Ltd' is specifically associated with private limited companies, confirming that the answer is indeed the correct identification of the business form represented by that abbreviation.