Director information hub: keeping Companies House up-to-date
As a director, you must ensure your own and your company’s information is accurate and current on the Companies House register to support trust in UK business.
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Details
What Companies House does, and corporate transparency
In return for the legal protection of limited liability, companies are required to file information about things like ownership, control and finances at Companies House.
Some of this information is published on the public register. This information helps people to check company details before doing business. This is known as corporate transparency.
Companies House:
- incorporates and dissolves companies
- receives, examines and publishes company information required by law
- makes certain information publicly available
Your responsibilities as a director
You are legally responsible for making sure information sent to Companies House is:
- accurate
- complete
- filed on time
If you do not meet these responsibilities, you or the company may receive fines or penalties.
You should also correct any incorrect information that has already been filed.
You should:
- check information before submitting it
- keep company records up to date
- correct mistakes as soon as possible
- get professional advice if you are unsure what to file or how to do it
If missing or incorrect information
If information is missing or may be incorrect Companies House can take action.
They can:
- query information or ask for more details
- reject a filing
- remove or amend information on the register
If a company is using your personal details without your permission, you can report this to Companies House.
Enforcement action
Companies House can take enforcement action if companies, directors or people with significant control (PSCs) do not meet their legal responsibilities to provide information.
This may include:
- financial penalties
- prosecution
- director disqualification
Ultimately, a company may be struck off the register and dissolved. If this happens, any remaining assets will pass to the Crown.
Sharing information with other agencies
Companies House may share information with other enforcement bodies, such as HMRC or the Insolvency Service, to help investigate and prevent the misuse of companies.
More information
Find out more about:
- Registrar of Companies: rules and powers - GOV.UK
- Changes to UK company law
- Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act: the role and powers of the Registrar of Companies - GOV.UK
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