Companies House

Companies House reports progress in Welsh-language provision during the period from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. It expanded its Welsh Language Unit with two specialist posts, introduced a dedicated Welsh-language contact-centre line in November 2025, and increased its Welsh-speaking advisers to six. Welsh-language engagement rose sharply after the dedicated line was introduced, with 481 calls and 62 emails recorded compared with only one call and 23 emails between April and October 2025. The organisation published bilingual guidance, forms, campaigns and communications, supported staff language training, and continued translating Welsh company accounts for the public record. Two complaints exposed weaknesses in applying customers' Welsh-language preferences, prompting process improvements and closer coordination between the Welsh Language Unit and customer-facing teams. Companies House concludes that it will continue embedding Welsh-language considerations into service design, communications and organisational planning.

Companies House explains how the registrar will assess whether applicants and existing Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs) are fit and proper under section 1098B of the Companies Act 2006. The assessment may consider eligibility, competence, anti-money laundering supervision, criminal and financial history, honesty, integrity, statutory compliance, and previous dealings with Companies House. Aggravating and mitigating factors will be considered, and the assessment continues after registration. Applications may be refused, while existing ACSPs may be suspended or deregistered, although they will generally have an opportunity to provide information or make representations. Applicants must provide accurate and complete information, and relevant changes in circumstances should be reported.

Companies House identity-verification requirements depend on a person’s role and when they began that role. Directors must provide their personal code with their company’s next confirmation statement, while people with significant control must provide theirs within the applicable 14-day period. Separate requirements apply when someone is both a director and a PSC, when registering a new company, or when acting for an overseas company. Authorised Corporate Service Providers must verify their own identities to register as authorised agents, while identity verification for several other roles will be introduced later.

Companies must identify and register people with significant control (PSCs), generally individuals who own more than 25% of shares or voting rights, can appoint or remove most directors, or otherwise exert significant influence or control. Companies must provide PSC details to Companies House, including ownership, control, personal and service-address information, and must report changes within 14 days. PSCs must verify their identity and provide a personal code within the applicable 14-day period. Companies must report when they have no PSC, respond to information requests, and may face criminal penalties or restrictions on shares and voting rights for non-compliance or false information.