Companies House Latest News

Companies House Appoints Dr Ros Rivaz as Chair

Ministers have confirmed the appointment of Dr Ros Rivaz as the new Chair of Companies House, effective March 1, 2026. She succeeds John Clarke and brings extensive leadership experience to guide the organization's transformation and support the government's transparency agenda.

Companies House Low Value Contract Terms and Conditions

Companies House has published guidance on its low-value contract terms and conditions, applicable to contracts valued below £12,000 including VAT. This guidance outlines the standard terms for such agreements.

Guidance on Reporting Scams Pretending to be Companies House

Companies House has published guidance on how to report scams that impersonate the agency. The guidance details how to identify and report suspicious phone calls and emails, providing examples of known scam tactics.

Companies House Transition Plan for Economic Crime Act

Companies House has published an outline transition plan for the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. The plan details the indicative timeline for commencing key provisions, with updates indicating potential postponements for certain measures to prioritize identity verification and stakeholder feedback.

Companies House Identity Verification Legal Requirement

Companies House has issued guidance stating that identity verification for directors and persons with significant control will become a legal requirement from November 18, 2025. This marks the start of a 12-month transition period for companies to comply.

Companies House Fees and Powers Update

Companies House will implement new fee structures effective February 1, 2026, with digital filing fees for incorporation, confirmation statements, and voluntary strike-offs increasing. These changes, alongside new powers granted by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, aim to enhance the UK's corporate registers and combat economic crime.

Insolvency Service Shuts Down UK Business Registration Services

The UK Insolvency Service has shut down three companies that facilitated the registration of over 11,000 UK businesses for overseas clients, primarily from China. These companies operated without proper registration and failed to conduct anti-money laundering checks, creating a false impression of UK presence for their clients.