James Young, Head of Corporate at Harding Evans, explains what business owners and directors need to know as these changes progress.
The reforms are designed to combat fraud, money laundering and wider economic crime. A central focus is identity verification, meaning directors, business owners and anyone involved in company filings should understand what is changing and when.
Who Needs to Verify Their Identity?
Anyone delivering documents to Companies House, whether for themselves or another person will need to have their identity verified, unless they are acting as an employee of an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).
Third-party agents will only be able to file documents if they are registered as ACSPs. These measures were expected to take effect in Spring 2026 but have now been delayed to “no earlier than November 2026”.
ID Verification for Relevant Legal Entities
Directors and Persons of Significant Control (PSCs) have been required to verify their identities since November 2025. The rules will extend to Relevant Legal Entities (RLEs) that qualify as PSCs, requiring them to identify a “relevant officer” whose identity must be verified. Nominated directors of corporate general partners of limited partnerships will also need verification. Corporate directors are also expected to be brought within similar requirements in due course, though no confirmed timeline has been published yet.
Limited Partnership Reform
By the end of 2026, Companies House is expected to have enhanced powers to require more detailed information from limited partnerships. This will affect any business structured as a limited partnership, particularly those using them for investment or asset-holding purposes.
Key changes include:
- Requirement to maintain an ‘’appropriate address’’ in the UK jurisdiction where the partnership is registered
- Mandatory notification of changes to partner details within 14 days
- Introduction of annual confirmation statements
Restrictions on Corporate Directors
The ECCTA transition plan confirms a major structural change: restrictions on corporate directors.
Under the new rules:
- Any corporate director must have an all-natural person board
- Those natural person directors will themselves be required to verify their identities
- Overseas companies will no longer be permitted to act as a corporate director on UK companies
These restrictions could require significant restructuring for companies that currently use corporate directors. If this applies to you, early advice is recommended – contact our team.
Accounts Reform
The ECCTA will also change annual accounts filing.
Proposed reforms include:
- Software-only filing of accounts
- Removal of the option for small companies and micro-businesses to file abridged accounts
- Limits on how frequently companies can shorten their accounting reference period
These changes were planned for April 2027, but Companies House has confirmed the reforms remain under review and will be delayed. Companies will receive at least 21 months’ notice before implementation.
If you need advice on the forthcoming changes, please email us at commercial@hevans.com, we would be happy to assist.
