Companies House is the United Kingdom’s official registrar of companies and operates as an executive agency of the Department for Business and Trade (formerly the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy). It is responsible for overseeing the incorporation, administration, and dissolution of companies and for maintaining an accurate and transparent public record of company information. By law, all limited companies and limited liability partnerships (LLPs) in the UK must register with Companies House.
The agency holds essential data such as company names, registered addresses, directors, people with significant control (PSCs), shareholders, annual financial statements, and confirmation statements. Much of this information is publicly accessible through the Companies House online service, enabling anyone—from investors and banks to journalists and members of the public—to verify a company’s identity and track its activities.
Historical Background
Companies House traces its origins back to 1844, when it was established as the Office of the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies following the Joint Stock Companies Act 1844. This Act marked the beginning of formalised company registration in the UK, introducing a requirement for companies to disclose structured information to the government.
Since then, the role of Companies House has evolved significantly:
- 19th century: Expansion of company registration and reporting obligations as corporate activity grew.
- 20th century: Introduction of limited liability, enhanced filing requirements, and improved accessibility of corporate data.
- 21st century: Digital transformation enabling online incorporation, electronic filing, open data initiatives, and modernisation of compliance processes.
Today, Companies House is headquartered in Cardiff, with additional offices in Edinburgh and Belfast to support services across the UK.
Role and Importance of Companies House
Companies House plays a vital role in supporting the UK’s reputation as one of the most transparent and well-regulated business environments in the world. Its key functions include:
1. Incorporation and Dissolution of Companies
Companies House processes applications to form new companies and manages the administrative process when companies close or are struck off the register.
2. Registration and Maintenance of Company Information
It ensures that businesses provide legally required updates—such as changes to directors, shareholders, addresses, or ownership structures—through annual filings and event-based reporting.
3. Public Access to Corporate Information
The online database allows users to search and view company records for free, supporting due diligence, fraud prevention, and informed decision-making. Stakeholders such as investors, regulators, creditors, and the general public rely on this open access.
4. Upholding Transparency and Corporate Accountability
By enforcing compliance with statutory filing requirements and maintaining accurate records, Companies House contributes to trust in the UK corporate sector. Recent reforms have strengthened identity verification, reporting standards, and anti-fraud measures.
Companies House therefore plays a central role in the functioning and integrity of UK business, ensuring that corporate activity is transparent, compliant, and accessible to all who need reliable information.
