Director Changes After Company Formation
Your company’s director structure isn’t fixed at incorporation. Businesses evolve, founders come and go, new leadership joins, and roles change. UK company law allows you to appoint new directors, accept resignations, and update director details at any time after formation. But every change needs to be filed correctly with Companies House, and under recent reforms, every new director now needs to complete identity verification before their appointment can be filed. At Form My Company, we handle director changes as part of our ongoing company support, and in this guide we explain exactly how each type of change works.
Why Director Changes Need to Be Handled Correctly
Making a director change isn’t just paperwork. The details on the Companies House public register have real legal weight. Getting director changes right after formation:
- Keeps the public record accurate. Anyone checking your company (clients, suppliers, banks, HMRC) sees who legally runs it.
- Reflects legal responsibility correctly. A director who’s left the company but is still on the register can face liability for decisions they didn’t make. A new director who hasn’t been properly filed may not have legal authority to act.
- Meets Companies House filing obligations. Changes must be reported to Companies House within specific deadlines, usually 14 days.
- Enables banking and other applications. Business banks, payment gateways, and other providers cross-check director details. Out-of-date records cause friction.
- Meets ECCTA identity verification requirements. New directors must complete identity verification before their appointment can be filed.
Doing this properly and promptly avoids compliance issues and keeps your company running smoothly.
The Main Types of Post-Formation Director Change
Once your company is up and running, you may need to make one or more of these changes over time:
- Appointing a new director. Adding a director to the existing structure.
- Removing or accepting the resignation of a director. A director leaves, either voluntarily or by removal.
- Updating a director’s details. Changes to name, service address, or occupation.
- Reassigning roles. Formal role changes, such as when a founder becomes managing director.
Each of these has its own Companies House filing process and requirements.
Appointing a New Director After Formation
Adding a director after your company already exists is a common change, especially as businesses grow. Here’s how it works:
The core filing is Form AP01. This is the Companies House form for appointing an individual as director (or Form AP02 for appointing a corporate director, though corporate director rules have tightened under the ECCTA).
Key information needed:
- Full legal name of the new director
- Date of birth
- Nationality
- Occupation
- Country of residence
- Service address (which appears publicly)
- Residential address (held privately by Companies House)
- Date of appointment
Identity verification is required first. Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA), identity verification became mandatory for all UK company directors and PSCs at Companies House from 18 November 2025. A new director must have their identity verified before their appointment is notified to Companies House.
Filing deadline. The appointment must be filed with Companies House within 14 days of taking effect.
No filing fee. Director appointment filings don’t currently carry a Companies House fee.
Board resolution or written resolution. Depending on your Articles of Association, the appointment usually needs to be authorised by the existing directors or shareholders through a formal resolution.
As an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), we can handle both the identity verification and the AP01 filing for you, making the whole appointment process seamless.
Removing or Accepting a Director’s Resignation
Directors can leave the company for many reasons. The way you handle it depends on whether they’re resigning voluntarily or being removed.
Voluntary resignation. A director can resign at any time, usually by giving written notice to the company (check your Articles of Association for any specific requirements). Once the resignation takes effect, the company needs to file Form TM01 with Companies House.
Removal by shareholders. Under section 168 of the Companies Act 2006, shareholders can remove a director by ordinary resolution, provided they follow the correct procedure. This involves special notice, giving the director an opportunity to respond, and a shareholder vote.
Removal per the Articles. Your Articles of Association may set out specific circumstances or procedures for director removal. These override the general rules where they apply.
Filing requirements. Whichever route applies, Form TM01 is filed with Companies House within 14 days of the removal or resignation taking effect. No filing fee currently applies.
Practical considerations. Removing a director can involve wider issues like shareholder agreements, employment contracts (if the director was also an employee), and share buybacks. In more complex situations, involving a qualified solicitor is sensible.
Getting the timing right matters. A former director who’s still on the register may face legal exposure, and a director who’s been properly removed but not yet filed off the register still appears publicly responsible.
Updating a Director’s Details
If a director’s details change, but they remain in role, you’ll need to update Companies House. This applies to:
- Name changes. For example, after marriage. Filed on Form CH01 (or CH02 for a corporate director).
- Service address changes. Filed on Form CH01 or through the online service. Common if a director moves, or if the director switches from a home service address to a professional one for privacy.
- Residential address changes. Held privately but must be kept up to date. Filed through a specific process.
- Occupation changes. Also filed on Form CH01.
- Filing deadline. Changes must be reported to Companies House within 14 days.
- No filing fee. Change of director details filings don’t currently carry a Companies House fee.
Keeping these details current is important, particularly for service addresses, since Companies House and other statutory bodies use them for official correspondence.
What Doesn’t Change with a Director Change
Some things get missed when directors change, so it’s worth being explicit about what these filings don’t cover:
Shareholding. A director appointment or resignation doesn’t automatically change who owns shares. Share transfers are handled separately.
PSC status. If the changing director is also a Person with Significant Control (PSC), the PSC register needs updating too, which is a separate filing. If a new director also becomes a PSC (for example by taking a majority shareholding), that’s a separate declaration.
Company bank accounts. Banks need to be notified separately of director changes and often require updates to signatory arrangements.
Third-party contracts. Client contracts, supplier agreements, and other contracts may need updating if they reference specific directors.
Employment relationships. If a director is also an employee, employment law considerations apply separately from the Companies House filing.
Tax records. HMRC may need updating, particularly for PAYE if the director takes a salary.
A director change on Companies House is one piece of a broader operational picture. Handling the wider implications correctly is often just as important as the filing itself.
ECCTA Identity Verification and Existing Directors
The ECCTA doesn’t only affect new appointments. Existing directors have their own identity verification deadlines under the transition arrangements. Existing directors and PSCs need to complete IDV during a transition period, aligned with either their annual confirmation statement or their birth month depending on their situation.
If you’re making changes to your director structure, this is a good moment to check that all existing directors have completed their IDV. Failure to verify carries serious consequences, including inability to file certain documents, personal fines, and potential director disqualification.
As an ACSP, we can help both new and existing directors complete their identity verification.
Common Mistakes to Avoid with Director Changes
A few issues come up regularly:
Missing the 14-day filing deadline. Companies House filings for director appointments, resignations, and changes must be submitted within 14 days. Late filings can attract penalties.
Forgetting identity verification for new directors. Under the ECCTA, this is now a legal precondition. Trying to file an appointment without it will fail.
Not updating the PSC register. If a director is also a PSC, or a new director becomes one, both filings are needed.
Old service addresses left in place. After a director moves, their service address on the register may still be their old one, causing missed correspondence.
Not notifying banks. Bank signatory arrangements often need updating separately when directors change.
Removing a director without following the correct procedure. Removing a director requires proper resolutions and (in many cases) specific notice periods. Skipping steps can invalidate the removal or create legal exposure.
Forgetting to update employment records. If a director was also an employee, their employment status may need reviewing separately.
Handling these consistently protects your company from compliance issues and unnecessary complications down the line.
When You Might Consider Professional Support
Some director changes are straightforward and easily handled yourself. Others benefit from professional support:
Straightforward changes. Voluntary resignations, simple appointments, service address updates, or occupation changes are usually manageable with the Companies House online service.
More involved changes. Removing a director against their will, changes involving shareholder disputes, corporate director appointments, or restructuring the board all benefit from professional guidance.
Non-resident director changes. Adding a non-resident director means handling identity verification remotely, which is often smoother through an ACSP like Form My Company.
Larger companies or regulated sectors. Companies in regulated industries (financial services, legal, healthcare) may have sector-specific requirements when directors change.
For anything beyond the routine, involving a qualified UK solicitor or a specialist company services provider is worth it.
How Form My Company Helps
We offer director appointment and resignation services as part of our ongoing support for UK companies. As an ACSP, we can handle:
- Appointing new directors (AP01 filings), including identity verification for the new director
- Filing director resignations (TM01)
- Updating director details, including service addresses (CH01)
- Identity verification (IDV) for existing directors and PSCs under the ECCTA
- Ongoing compliance help including confirmation statements
- Support for non-resident directors, including remote identity verification
Whether you’re adding a co-founder, accepting a departure, or updating details, we handle the paperwork correctly so you can focus on running the business.
Handle Your Director Changes Correctly Today
Director changes are a normal part of running a UK company, and getting them right keeps your company legally compliant and your public record accurate. With Form My Company, handling director appointments, resignations, and updates is straightforward and fully supported, whether you’re a UK-based founder or running a UK company from abroad. Get in touch today and let us handle the filings so you don’t have to.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I add a director to my UK limited company after formation?
You need to file Form AP01 with Companies House within 14 days of the appointment taking effect. Under the ECCTA, the new director must complete identity verification with Companies House before their appointment can be filed. As an ACSP, we can handle both steps for you.
How do I remove a director from a UK company?
A director can resign voluntarily by giving written notice, or be removed by shareholders under section 168 of the Companies Act 2006 through a proper resolution process. Either way, Form TM01 is filed with Companies House within 14 days.
How long do I have to file a director change with Companies House?
Most director appointments, resignations, and changes must be filed with Companies House within 14 days of taking effect. Late filings can result in penalties, so prompt filing is important.
Is there a fee to add or remove a director?
No. Companies House currently doesn’t charge a fee for director appointment (AP01), resignation (TM01), or change of details (CH01) filings.
Does a new director need to verify their identity before being appointed?
Yes. Under the ECCTA, identity verification became mandatory from November 2025, and a new director must have their identity verified with Companies House before their appointment is filed. This applies to both UK residents and non-residents.
Can I remove a director without their consent?
Yes, in certain circumstances. Under section 168 of the Companies Act 2006, shareholders can remove a director by ordinary resolution, provided they follow the required procedure including special notice. Because this can be legally complex, involving a qualified solicitor is sensible.
What if a director just wants to change their service address?
This is a straightforward update filed on Form CH01 or through the online service, within 14 days of the change. Many directors do this when they want to switch from a home service address to a professional one for privacy reasons.
