Big changes are coming to UK company law on 18 November 2025. Here’s what you need to know – stripped of the jargon, focused on what matters.

Why You Should Care

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA) is the biggest overhaul of UK corporate law in years. It’s designed to stop fraudsters hiding behind opaque company structures – and it’s about to change how every business proves who’s really in control.

For too long, Companies House couldn’t properly check the information companies filed. That created gaps. ECCTA closes them, giving Companies House real enforcement power and putting clear obligations on you to verify who owns and controls your business.

What’s Actually Changing from 18 November 2025

Identity Verification – Proving Who’s Who

Directors:

• New directors must verify their identity before appointment or incorporation
• Existing directors must verify at their next confirmation statement (12-month window)
• Operating as an unverified director becomes a criminal offence – with fines to match

Persons with Significant Control (PSCs):

• New PSCs have 14 days to verify after registration
• Existing PSCs who are directors: 14 days from your first confirmation statement after 18 November 2025
• Other PSCs: verify during the first 14 days of your birth month after commencement e.g. if the register records March as their month of birth, their verification window opens on 1 March 2026.
• Don’t comply? You’re personally liable

Your Registers Are Moving to Companies House

• Internal registers of directors, secretaries, and PSCs are being scrapped
• Everything now lives at Companies House
• Your first post-commencement confirmation statement needs a full shareholder list (one-time requirement)
• Director’s business occupation no longer required

Turn These Rules into Action

Don’t leave this until November. Here’s your practical checklist:

1. Map your structure – Identify every PSC, beneficial owner, and control point in your business
2. Verify early – The system’s been live since April 2025. Get ahead of the rush
3. Know your dates – PSCs need to identify their 14-day verification windows based on anyone of the 3 PSC scenarios listed above.
4. Audit your filings – Make sure what’s already at Companies House is accurate and complete
5. Brief your people – Finance, compliance, and admin teams need to understand what’s coming and when
6. Tighten your processes – Review fraud prevention, whistleblowing, record-keeping, and internal communication

What This Means for Your Business

ECCTA raises the bar. More transparency. Tougher penalties. Real accountability over who owns and runs your company. Companies House now has teeth.

But get ahead of it, and this doesn’t need to be painful. Clear structure, early verification and accurate records will all ensure that you are actively top of your compliance.

Need to Turn ECCTA into a Clear Action Plan?

We help business owners cut through the complexity and build practical compliance that works for how you actually operate.

Whatever stage you’re at – from working out who needs to verify through to updating your entire governance framework – we’re by your side, ready to turn these new rules into simple, actionable steps.  Let’s help you turn complex regulatory change into a straightforward plan that protects your business and keeps you compliant.

Contact Jayne Croft at jayne.croft@glenvillewalker.com