14 May 2026
By Mirja Barton, Trainee Solicitor, Corporate, Gilson Gray
The UK government, in its attempt to combat fraud and strengthen confidence in the UK’s company register, implemented several changes to how Companies House operates in 2025.
In 2026, businesses should expect to see more changes to the Registrar of Companies (the Registrar), and it is important that directors and business owners stay up to date with the new legislation that strengthens Companies House’s enforcement powers and makes a more transparent register mandatory.
Accredited Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs) is a term that anyone who interacts with Companies House should be familiar with and understand what ACSPs are, when it can be beneficial to use them and when you need to make sure that the agent you use is an accredited ACSP.
For many years, the Registrar had limited powers to rectify wrong filings or address what looked to be fraudulent or suspicious data. This created opportunities for misuse of the UK company register. The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (the ECCTA 2023) aims to make Companies House more of a regulator than simply a record of data for companies. One of the central reforms under the ECCTA 2023 was to introduce identity verification for company directors, persons with significant control, and those who file information with Companies House.
Within that framework, the legislation created the concept of ACSPs who are regulated professionals authorised to carry out identity verification and make filings on behalf of others. To obtain accreditation, the provider must already be supervised under the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (MLR 2017) for anti-money laundering (AML) purposes.
In practice, this means that many familiar professional advisers may become ACSPs. These include:
Because these professionals are already required to carry out due diligence under MLR 2017, the government considers them suitable intermediaries for identity verification, yet any such business will need to acquire a separate accreditation to act as an ACSP. Once accredited, they can confirm a person’s identity and submit certain filings to Companies House on their client’s behalf.
Importantly, ACSPs are not merely administrative agents. They act as trusted gatekeepers for Companies House. When an ACSP verifies someone’s identity, they effectively provide assurance to Companies House that the individual is who they claim to be.
Although individuals can, in many cases interact with Companies House directly, there are several situations where using an ACSP is permitted and may be advisable.
1. Company Formation
When incorporating a new company, founders often use professional formation agents, accountants or solicitors. Under ECCTA 2023, these professionals may act as ACSPs and verify the identities of the proposed directors and persons with significant control.
Using an ACSP during formation can simplify the process. Rather than each individual completing separate verification procedures with Companies House, the service provider may verify identities as part of the incorporation process.
2. Routine Companies House Filings
Companies must regularly submit information to Companies House, such as confirmation statements, director appointments, or changes to registered office details or shares.
While the legislation allows companies and individuals to deal with Companies House directly, if company secretarial services are being used, it is important the provider for the business is accredited as an ACSP. In 2026, it will become mandatory for a professional business submitting information to Companies House on behalf of another individual or company to be an accredited ACSP. Unregulated agents will no longer be able to file on behalf of clients. It is therefore important to check that your business’s current provider is accredited as an ACSP. The intention of the change is to prevent unregulated intermediaries from submitting information without any formal oversight.
3. Identity Verification with an ACSP
Directors and persons with significant control will be required to verify their identity. This can often be done directly through Companies House systems. However, individuals may also choose to verify their identity through an ACSP. If a business has several directors spanning over more than one jurisdiction, using an ACSP that takes over the management of the verification task can be a preferred option.
It should be noted that the verification requirements for Companies House are different to the ones outlined in MLR 2017. The practical implication of this for a client may be that even if they have previously been verified by their accountant or solicitor, more or different documents may be requested if they are acting as an ACSP for the business.
4. Complex Corporate Structures
Companies with multiple shareholders, overseas owners, or complex governance arrangements may prefer to use an ACSP to ensure filings are accurate and compliant. Professional intermediaries can help ensure the correct individuals and entities are identified and properly verified.
The introduction of ACSPs represents a cultural shift in the UK’s corporate transparency framework. Historically, Companies House relied heavily on self-reported information. But under ECCTA 2023, the emphasis is moving towards verification and accountability.
For legitimate businesses, the impact should be manageable, but it is still important to know and understand what the changes are and how an ACSP may be able to help your business to ensure corporate compliance.
At Gilson Gray we have an experienced corporate team that can help answer questions about the changes coming to Companies House in 2026. Please get in touch today if you are in need of help with your regulatory compliance.
