Keeping pace with Companies House changes since the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 is essential.
With so many things already being implemented, and much more on the horizon, we thought it best to give an overview of what is currently most likely to impact you and your business.
What has already changed?
This year saw the first wave of practical reforms land.
In January, people whose home addresses had previously been public gained the right to apply for address suppression.
This was viewed as a welcome protection for those whose details were filed under older rules.
At the same time, qualifying overseas entities received limited protection for certain trust-member information, improving privacy where appropriate.
February brought the convenience of GOV.UK One Login.
Everyone using the Find and Update Company Information service now signs in with GOV.UK credentials, which streamlines access and adds a layer of security to filings.
Spring focused on identity verification and paved the way for some upcoming changes.
Third-party verifiers must register as Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs) to continue providing their services, and Companies House has pushed a voluntary verification window to give individuals and businesses time to adapt.
If you are a director, a member, a general partner, a managing officer, a Person with Significant Control (PSC) or anyone who files for the company, such as a company secretary, you will need to verify your identity to continue filing without interruption.
What’s coming next?
The major change ahead is the move from voluntary to compulsory identity checks.
From autumn 2025, the voluntary window closes, and all new directors and PSCs will need verified identification on appointment.
Existing officeholders will have 12 months to comply before their filing rights are restricted.
By autumn 2026, Companies House expects every relevant individual on the register to hold verified ID or face enforcement action.
Before then, trust-related entries on the public register will be available on request, improving transparency around overseas-linked ownership.
For Limited Partnerships, 2026 brings a substantial tightening of the rules as they become subject to enhanced scrutiny.
While other companies do not need to use an ACSP to conduct filings or identity verification, Limited Partnerships will be required to.
We will know more about the full scope of the upcoming changes when Companies House publishes its 2025–2030 strategy later this year.
What proposals may never arrive?
It was the star of this segment in last month’s newswire, but ongoing discussions around the publication of Profit and Loss (P&L) accounts have caused doubt about whether it will come to pass.
Ministers appear cautious about implementing such a move because of competition and commercial-sensitivity concerns – the exact issues we highlighted previously.
Although there has been some talk from the Government that it will not come to pass, there has yet to be any official statement on it.
Until anything is confirmed one way or the other, we cannot make any assumptions about the implementation of the policy.
We will be closely monitoring the situation, and all other Companies House changes, to ensure that you are kept up to date.
We are here to help you stay prepared for the reforms so that compliance is not a source of stress.
Keep up with Companies House by speaking to our team today!
