Companies House has warned Directors of companies to verify their identities following the first Insolvency Service prosecutions. The court action highlights the legal duty on directors to complete identity verification. Identity verification is a central part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, which strengthened Companies House powers to improve the accuracy of the company register and tackle the misuse of UK companies for criminal purposes.
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Newly appointed directors have been required to verify their identity with Companies House before acting as a director from 18 November 2025.
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Existing directors are required to verify during the 12-month transition period, when filing the company’s next confirmation statement.
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This is the first court action for identity verification offences brought by the Insolvency Service. Three Directors were fined after failing to comply with requirements.
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Identity verification can be completed online through Companies House free of charge, or via an Authorised Corporate Service Provider.
Alongside this, as part of its aim to be a data-led regulator, the FCA is increasingly comparing the records at Companies House with the information it holds on the Financial Services Register and is following up on discrepancies.
ITC uses technology and data feeds, such as those provided by Creditsafe, which inform us of changes of directors at a network firm, among other things. However, to mitigate questions from the FCA, it is beneficial if firms notify ITC of changes in advance, especially those involving the Approved Person who is also on the Financial Services Register.
