As we begin 2025, it's a timely moment to reflect on a transformative year at Companies House and to share my vision for the year ahead – along with some personal news.
Looking back at 2024
2024 marked a pivotal year in our organisation's history with the implementation of new powers under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency (ECCT) Act. These powers represent a fundamental shift in the role of Companies House, from being a collector of information to becoming an active gatekeeper of the accuracy and integrity of information on our registers.
Our new and enhanced powers enable us to query and remove false, misleading or incorrect information from our registers – a crucial step in improving the quality of our data. This directly supports individuals, businesses and stakeholders who rely on our data. We’re proud that the work we’ve been able to do over the last year is already having a positive impact on the UK’s business environment.
We published a one-time management information release in November 2024 covering the first 6 months of progress since 4 March 2024.
As of January 2025, we have:
- removed 60,700 suspicious or inappropriate registered office addresses
- removed 47,200 officer addresses and 42,900 people with significant control (PSC) addresses
- redacted 40,300 incorporation documents to remove personal data used without consent
- removed 9,500 documents from the register, including false mortgage satisfaction filings which would have previously required a court order
This has affected 75,600 companies in total.
In October 2024, we introduced new financial penalties for companies that do not comply with their legal responsibilities – another step in improving the quality of our data.
We also published our first strategic intelligence assessment in October 2024 which gives an in-depth analysis of the key threats that Companies House is facing. The assessment has been very well received by key partners and stakeholders.
I’m proud of everything we achieved together last year and I’m looking forward to building on this strong foundation in 2025.
What’s coming up in 2025
For the beginning of 2025, we're focusing on several key priorities:
- Further developing and implementing our new powers under the ECCT Act to improve the accuracy of integrity of the data on our registers, including making sure companies on the register have an appropriate registered office address.
- Introducing our new identity verification process.
- Maintaining and enhancing our services and customer satisfaction levels alongside legislative changes to meet the growing expectations of our users.
- Continuing to strengthen our role in supporting economic growth and disrupting economic crime, including publishing a control strategy to support our strategic intelligence assessment.
We’re running a number of complex projects with multiple workstreams to implement the measures within the ECCT Act. We’ll maintain our rapid pace of work throughout 2025.
Look out for these important dates in the first few months of the year:
- From 27 January, individuals will be able to apply to suppress a residential address that’s been used as a company’s registered office address on historical documents
- From 12 February, all Find and update company information service users will have the option to use GOV.UK One Login to sign in
- From 25 March, individuals will be able to voluntarily verify their identity using GOV.UK One Login
We’re also in the final year of our strategy for 2020 to 2025, so look out for our new strategy for 2025 to 2030 over the coming months.
You can keep up to date with all the upcoming changes on our Changes to UK company law website, and by signing up for our email newsletters.
Personal news
I was deeply honoured to receive a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the King's New Year Honours list for services to public life and the economy. This recognition reflects the collective achievements of my brilliant colleagues at Companies House, and our dedication to delivering high quality public services which directly improve the UK’s economy.
I'm planning to retire from my role as Chief Executive of Companies House at the end of August 2025. I'll miss working with such passionate colleagues every day – but, because of these colleagues, I'm fully confident that Companies House is well-positioned for the future.
The impact of the ECCT Act and our wider transformation will extend far beyond our organisation. As well as playing a more significant role in supporting business decisions and economic growth, our enhanced role supports law enforcement and other agencies in the work they’re doing to disrupt economic crime.
We welcome the increased scrutiny and higher expectations from our stakeholders and the general public as we continue to implement more changes over the year ahead.
The organisation is already hugely different to what it was when I joined in 2017. I know Companies House will continue to evolve and adapt, maintaining our unique identity while embracing new opportunities to make a difference and to meet the challenges that lie ahead in 2025 and beyond.
9 comments
Comment by SG posted on
Hi.
Some very useful dates. Thank you. Will there be a companies house charge to verify one's identity either direct or via an ACSP?
Comment by Luke C posted on
Thank you for your comment.
There will be no charge to verify your identity directly with Companies House using GOV.UK One Login. An ACSP will usually charge to carry out any work on your behalf.
There is no charge from Companies House to verify using an ACSP.
Comment by William Adrian Hughes posted on
It's about time a lot of this should of been implemented a long time ago.
Comment by Steve Heathcock posted on
the CH website for filing accounts is a disgrace
Comment by Belinda Chisholm posted on
Better than HMRC
Comment by SG posted on
Hi Luke, thanks that's helpful
Do you know if there ARE any plans to charge individuals? I understand Companies House works on a cost-recovery basis and imagine that a lot of investment has gone into this.
Comment by Luke C posted on
There are no current plans to charge a direct fee to verify identities directly with Companies House. However, we regularly review costs and any fees and charges will be considered as part of future reviews.
Comment by J.M. posted on
Good and very welcome progress in recent years.
Privacy and data scraping are still major concerns though. I have to send multiple emails every month to remove my details from various resellers, it is all over chat GPT too. God knows where else it is ending up. Personal details should be provided on request-response basis instead. Still freely accessible to all, but without the privacy issues of the current system.
Comment by Al posted on
Yet all companies house registered private limited companies must adhere to governing legislation the Companies Act 2006 specifically s44 which evidences that they must have valid legal wet ink signed agreements of contract with person/s they contract with. Where's the valid legal wet ink agreements of contract regarding the so-called gas bill or water, electric or council tax? We're under Contract Law yet who has any valid legal contracts pursuant to the Companies Act 2006? 'Real' Person? Isnt that a contradiction of terms under the Interpretation Act 1889 section 19 & Interpretation Act 1978 schedule 1 (1889). We're living men & women not incorporated legal dead entities.