Changes to the Companies Act coming into effect this year

There are significant changes to company legislation coming into effect in 2025 that you need to be aware of as there will be new responsibilities for all directors, shareholders and anyone who makes filings on behalf of a company. The changes are driven by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (“the Act”), and this aims to give Companies House a more prominent role in tackling economic crime and have a more active role in reviewing information filed at Companies House.

We have summarised the main points below so that you are aware of the changes that will impact your company in 2025 and also addressed the key changes that came into effect in 2024:

Company Registered Office

The Act has introduced new objectives for Companies House and these are to ensure that the information contained at Companies House is accurate, that the records at Companies House are not false or misleading and to prevent companies from undertaking unlawful activities.

The Act states that a company’s registered office address must be ‘appropriate’, meaning that if a document is sent to the registered address that it would arrive with the person acting on behalf of the company and that delivery can be acknowledged. If a company’s registered office address does not meet these requirements then action may be taken against the company and/or the directors and could result in the company being struck off the register. A point to note is that a company cannot have a PO Box as the registered office address.

Changes to Confirmation Statements

A confirmation statement must be filed by a company registered at Companies House at least once a year, whether the company is trading or not. If a company does not file their confirmation statement on time then they may receive a financial penalty.

There is a new requirement under the Act that a company will need to confirm it is being formed for a lawful purpose on registration and this will be confirmed annually through the filing of the confirmation statements. Additionally, all companies will now need to provide a registered email address when they incorporate and existing companies will need to provide an email address when they file their next confirmation statement.

Under the Act, a confirmation statement must now include the full name of all shareholders.

Identity Verification

The Act will introduce a new identity verification process and the aim is that this will deter companies being incorporated for illegal purposes. If you are setting up, running or control a company in the UK then you will need to verify your identity and this is being introduced in a phased approach.

From April 2025, individuals can verify their identity directly with Companies House or through an Authorised Corporate Service Providers (“ACSP”).

Since March 2025, individuals and organisations that undertake anti-money laundering activities have been able to apply to be an ACSP. The registered ACSP can carry out identity verification services with individuals and verify their identity to Companies House. From autumn 2025, it is proposed that it will be compulsory for all new directors and shareholders to have their identity verified by an ACSP and there will then be a 12 month period for existing directors and shareholders to have their identity verified.

In the future, it is proposed that individuals and organisations will also need to register as an ACSP to be able to file on behalf of a company.

Personal Information and Company Registers

The Act has introduced changes that will allow for some personal information to not be made public at Companies House. From summer 2025, it is proposed that individuals will be able to apply to Companies House to suppress details such as their residential address, date of birth, signatures and business occupation. 

Under the Act it is proposed that there will no longer be a requirement for companies to hold a register of directors, directors residential addresses, secretaries and persons with significant control, but the date for this change has not yet been confirmed. This information will still need to be filed and updated at Companies House.

Please note that all companies will still need to maintain a register of shareholders that will need to be stored at the registered office address or another nominated location.

Limited Partnerships

From spring 2026, there will be enhanced filing obligations on Limited Partnerships. If you are a Limited Partnership, then you will need to provide partner details, verify the identity of partners, provide a registered office address and file an annual confirmation statement.

For more guidance on how these changes may impact your business, contact our Corporate Team at Buxton Coates Solicitors today.

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