In November 2025, the UK's corporate governance landscape changed. Companies House made identity verification mandatory for company directors, People with Significant Control (PSCs), and those filing on behalf of companies.
Six months on, and while many are aware of the changes, it’s obvious from a quick scan of Companies House that many are not.
Acting as a director without having verified identity by the relevant deadline constitutes a criminal offence for the individual and possibly for the company. Other real time consequences include delays in filing confirmation statement and new director appointments, reputational damage as Companies House flags when a director of a company is not verified and, of course, panicked business owners.
Identity verification is one of the most significant changes which has emerged in my working lifetime, and it marks a further shift in the UK's approach to corporate transparency.
If you haven't verified yet, or if you don’t know if you have, please check or better yet, get in touch with us.
The Compliance Wrinkles
Since November, we’ve encountered several issues with the process including lack of awareness, complex group structures and directors resident overseas not being able to access the Gov.uk One Login service.
Awareness Gaps
Despite Companies House having written to registered email addresses, there are still a substantial number of directors aren’t aware of the new requirements, perhaps due to outdated contact details or unmonitored inboxes.
Complex Group Structures
Companies with layered holding structures, international directors, or nominee arrangements can face challenges. Where multiple people require verification within a group, coordinating the process can be time-consuming and logistically challenging.
Gov.uk One Login Service
Individuals overseas in certain jurisdictions have been unable to access the service to verify themselves. This is where Laytons, as an ACSP, can help and verify on your behalf.
If you have any questions about how these requirements will apply to your company or group, or if you need support navigating the process, please contact Kathryn Beasley in our Corporate Team.
Related Expertise
Disclaimer: This publication is provided by Laytons LLP for informational purposes only. The information contained in this publication should not be construed as legal advice. Any questions or further information regarding the matters discussed in this publication can be directed to your regular contact at Laytons LLP or Laytons’ Corporate team.
