On 16 October 2024, gov.uk published their latest policy paper on the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, outlining the transition plan for Companies House.

The Act will reform the role of Companies House and improve transparency over UK companies and other legal entities, with the aim of disrupting economic crime, supporting national security, while also delivering a more robust companies register to underpin business activity, in line with modern day challenges.

Registrars’ Objectives
  • Ensure that any person who is required to deliver a document to the registrar does so with ‘proper delivery’ requirements met
  • Ensure that the information in the register is accurate and contains everything that it should contain
  • Ensure that records kept by the registrar do not create a false or misleading impression to the general public
  • Prevent companies from carrying out unlawful activities or facilitating the carrying out by others of lawful activities
Overview and Implementation

There will be new responsibilities for all new and existing directors, people with significant control of a company and anyone who files information on behalf of a company.

These are significant and complex changes which will be introduced in phases over the coming years. The programme of change has distinct strands:

  • The process of cleaning information on the existing registers and querying new information – this has already commenced on 4 March 2024.
  • Identity verification is a key component of the reforms and by spring 2025, Trust and Company Service Providers, and other professionals such as accountants and solicitors, will be allowed to register to become Authorised Corporate Service Providers which will enable them to carry out verification services and provide these details to the registrars.
  • By autumn 2025, all directors and people with significant control will be required to verify their identity as the point of incorporation.
  • Reforms to limited partnerships will take place no sooner than spring 2026.
  • Plans in place for all accounts to be delivered via software – more detail to follow.
For more information:

Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act: outline transition plan for Companies House – GOV.UK  and

Changes to UK company law – Changes to UK company law

Action Required

Audit Committees and Boards to note the key points and requirements of the Act