The hotly anticipated Companies House 2025-2030 strategy has been unveiled.
Given the significant impact of the changes brought about by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA), it is best to understand how Companies House will continue to change in the next few years.
As such, we are examining some of the key updates and how they may impact your future filings.
What are the key changes announced in the Companies House 2025-2030 strategy?
The strategy is not the same as a specific roadmap of changes and so it is not currently known when specific changes may be implemented.
What is known from reviewing the strategy is that Companies House will be continuing to change.
The Government have identified six key criteria that will influence Companies House changes in the future.
The changes will all aim to:
- Ensure data is authoritative and transparent to increase its value to users and support economic growth.
- Prevent, detect and disrupt economic crime to safeguard the integrity of the registers and protect individuals and businesses from harm.
- Implement reforms to the UK’s company law framework to increase corporate transparency and improve the integrity of our registers.
- Provide seamless services that make it easier for people to do business with Companies House.
- Modernise technology to be secure, responsive and efficient.
- Evolve Companies House culture and conditions to enable people to perform at their best and be fulfilled in their roles.
All of these changes are serving to establish Companies House as a trusted guardian of corporate transparency.
Undoubtedly, many of the changes are set to focus on implementing new technology to improve the quality of filings and ensure a greater degree of compliance from all those who engage with the system.
We also expect to see a greater amount of power bestowed on Companies House to take more severe action against any inaccurate or fraudulent filings.
How can I prepare for future changes to Companies House?
For the time being, it is best to focus on working towards the Companies House changes that have specific deadlines attached.
The most important aspect of this is contending with the new identity verification system that became mandatory from 18 November.
Now, new directors and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) must verify their identity at appointment and existing officeholders have a 12-month transition window and face enforcement from 18 November 2026 for non-compliance.
This can be done by yourself using the GOV.UK Login or through a trusted Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).
There is also the rising Companies House fees that will need to be managed if filings are going to remain compliant.
As Companies House continues to change over the next five years, having a trusted accountant on your side can help you keep on top of it.
As well as making sure your finances are set to withstand whatever is announced in the Autumn Budget, we can provide you with long-term support to ensure that your filings are accurate and that you avoid penalties.
It is imperative that you understand what Companies House expects from you, so let us help you maintain your obligations.
Don’t get caught out by the upcoming changes to Companies House. Speak to our team today!
