How to Change Director of a UK Company: A Complete 2026 Guide

Change Director of a UK Company

Changing the director of a UK limited company happens for all sorts of reasons: a founder steps back, a new director takes over, or an existing director’s details need updating. Whatever the situation, every change must be filed correctly with Companies House, and under recent reforms, any new director now needs to complete identity verification before they can take up the role. At Form My Company, we handle director changes as part of our ongoing company support. This guide walks through how to change a director, including replacing one director with another and updating an existing director’s details.

What “Changing a Director” Actually Means

The phrase “change a director” can mean two quite different things, and the right filing depends on which one applies:

• Replacing one director with another. One director resigns or is removed, and a new director is appointed to take their place. This involves two separate Companies House filings.
• Updating an existing director’s details. The director stays in role, but something about them changes (name, service address, occupation, or residential address). This involves one filing.

Both are common, and both need to be handled correctly to keep your Companies House record accurate and compliant.

Replacing One Director with Another

This is the more involved of the two situations. It’s essentially two changes at once:

1. The outgoing director resigns or is removed.
2. The incoming director is appointed.

Each has its own filing, and each has its own requirements. Here’s how the process works.

Step 1: Handle the Outgoing Director

A director leaves in one of two ways:

• Voluntary resignation. The director gives written notice to the company, following any procedure set out in your Articles of Association or shareholders’ agreement.
• Removal by shareholders. Under section 168 of the Companies Act 2006, shareholders can remove a director by ordinary resolution, provided the correct procedure is followed. This involves giving special notice, allowing the director to respond, and holding a shareholder vote.
• Removal per the Articles. Your Articles may specify additional circumstances or procedures for director removal.

Whichever route applies, once the departure is effective, Form TM01 is filed with Companies House to record the termination of appointment.

Step 2: Handle the Incoming Director

The new director’s appointment follows the standard Companies House process:

• Internal approval. The appointment needs to be authorised by board resolution or shareholder resolution, per your Articles of Association.
• Identity verification. Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA), the new director must complete identity verification with Companies House before their appointment can be filed. This applies to both UK-based and non-resident directors.
• Form AP01 filing. Once verification is complete, the appointment is filed on Form AP01.

Both Form TM01 (resignation) and Form AP01 (appointment) can be filed within days of each other, so the transition is clean on the public register.

Step 3: Meet the 14-Day Deadlines

Both filings must be submitted within 14 days of the changes taking effect. In a director-swap situation, that means:

1. TM01 within 14 days of the outgoing director’s departure
2. AP01 within 14 days of the incoming director’s appointment

If the two changes happen simultaneously (which is common), both deadlines run from the same date.

Step 4: Update Related Records

Changing directors often involves updates beyond Companies House:

• PSC register. If either director is also a Person with Significant Control, or if the change affects who holds significant control, the PSC register may need updating.
• Business bank account. Notify your bank of the change. Signatory arrangements may need updating.
• Employment records. If either director is also an employee, HR and PAYE records may need updating.
• Statutory registers. Your internal register of directors should be updated to reflect the change.
• Third-party contracts. Any contracts that reference specific directors may need reviewing.

Updating an Existing Director’s Details

The other kind of “change” involves an existing director staying in role, but with updated details. This is a much simpler process, requiring just one filing:

Form CH01 (individual director) or CH02 (corporate director). Filed with Companies House within 14 days of the change taking effect. No fee currently applies.

Common reasons to file CH01 include:

• Name change. For example, after marriage or a legal name change. Supporting documentation may be needed.
• Service address change. Often filed when a director wants to switch from a home service address to a professional one for privacy.
• Residential address change. Held privately but must be kept current.
• Occupation change. For example, if the director’s role or job title has formally shifted.

Existing directors don’t need to repeat identity verification when their details change. Their existing verification and unique personal code stay in place across changes.

Non-Resident Director Changes

Changing a director where either the outgoing or incoming director is a non-resident follows the same core process, with a few practical points:

• No residency requirement. UK law places no restriction on where directors live, so non-residents can be appointed or resign like any other director.
• Identity verification for non-residents. New non-resident directors must complete identity verification just like UK-based ones. An ACSP route (like Form My Company) is often smoother for international ID documents.
• Service address flexibility. Non-resident directors can use a professional UK service address to keep their overseas home address off the public register.
• Timing considerations. International postal or verification steps can take longer, so plan changes with a buffer rather than at the last minute.

We handle non-resident director changes end-to-end as part of our support, including remote identity verification.

Common Reasons to Change a Director

Businesses change directors for many reasons. Some of the most common include:

1. Founder transitions. A founder stepping back from operational roles, or handing over to the next generation.
2. Investor requirements. New investors sometimes require or request director changes as part of their funding terms.
3. Restructuring. Changes to the board following mergers, acquisitions, or internal restructures.
4. Retirement. A senior director retiring and being succeeded by a new appointee.
5. Departure of a co-founder. A founder leaving the business, whether amicably or after a dispute.
6. Compliance or regulatory reasons. Sometimes required by industry regulators, licensing bodies, or as part of remediation.
7. Estate matters. Following the death of a director, the appointment of a new director alongside the removal of the deceased director’s name.

The Companies House process for filing the changes is the same, but the surrounding legal, tax, and commercial considerations can vary a lot. For anything beyond routine, professional advice is valuable.

When Professional Support Is Worth It

For straightforward director changes, the Companies House WebFiling service works well. For more involved situations, professional support saves time and reduces risk:

• Removing a director against their will. Removing a director under section 168 requires strict procedural compliance. Getting it wrong can invalidate the removal or create legal exposure. A qualified UK solicitor is usually essential.
• Changes tied to investor terms or M&A. Where director changes are part of a broader commercial transaction, coordinated legal advice is important.
• Changes involving shareholder disputes. Contested director changes should always involve a solicitor.
• Non-resident director changes. Managing remote identity verification and international paperwork is smoother through an ACSP.
• Multiple simultaneous changes. Coordinating several director changes at once is more efficient with professional support.
• Corporate director situations. Corporate director rules have tightened under the ECCTA. Any change involving a corporate director benefits from experienced handling.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A few issues come up regularly when changing directors:

1. Missing the 14-day deadlines. Both TM01 and AP01 (or CH01 for detail changes) must be filed within 14 days. Late filings can attract penalties.
2. Forgetting identity verification for new directors. IDV is now a legal precondition. Trying to file AP01 without it will fail.
3. Not passing proper resolutions. Directors must be appointed or removed through the correct internal process. Skipping this can invalidate the change.
4. Overlooking the PSC register. If a director change also affects who has significant control of the company, PSC filings are needed separately.
5. Leaving a departed director on the public record. A former director who’s still on the register may face liability for company decisions after their departure. Prompt TM01 filing protects them and the company.
6. Not updating the bank or other records. Companies House filings don’t automatically update your other business relationships.
7. Assuming service address details flow through. If a director’s service address changes, that’s a separate CH01 filing, even if nothing else about them has changed.

Working through the process carefully avoids all of these.

How Form My Company Helps

We handle director changes as part of our ongoing company support. As an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), we can:

1. File Form AP01 for new director appointments, including handling identity verification
2. File Form TM01 for director resignations or removals
3. File Form CH01 for changes to a director’s details
4. Coordinate related filings including PSC register updates and confirmation statements
5. Provide a UK director’s service address to keep home addresses off the public register
6. Support non-resident director changes end-to-end, including remote identity verification

Whether you’re replacing a departing co-founder, bringing in outside expertise, or simply updating your existing director’s details, we handle the paperwork correctly and coordinate with Companies House on your behalf.

Change Your Director Correctly Today

Changing a director of a UK company is a normal part of running a growing business, and doing it correctly keeps your company legally compliant and your public record accurate. With Form My Company, whether you’re replacing one director with another or just updating details, the process is quick and fully supported. Get in touch today and let us handle the filings so you don’t have to.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I change a director of a UK company?
If you’re replacing one director with another, file Form TM01 for the outgoing director and Form AP01 for the incoming director, both within 14 days of the changes. If you’re updating an existing director’s details, file Form CH01. New directors must complete identity verification first.

Is there a fee to change a director at Companies House?
No. There are currently no filing fees for Form AP01, TM01, or CH01 at Companies House.

Do I need identity verification when changing an existing director’s details?
No. Existing directors don’t need to repeat identity verification when their details change. Their existing verification and unique personal code stay in place. Only new director appointments require IDV before filing.

How long do I have to file a director change?
Companies House expects director changes to be filed within 14 days of taking effect. This includes appointments, resignations, and updates to details. Late filings can result in penalties.

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 the required procedure is followed (including special notice and giving the director opportunity to respond). Because this can be legally complex, involving a qualified solicitor is sensible.

Do I need to update the bank when a director changes?
Yes. Business bank accounts are separate from Companies House records. When a director changes, notify your bank so they can update signatory arrangements and any other records.

Can I change a non-resident director the same way?
Yes. UK law places no residency requirement on directors, so non-residents can be appointed, removed, or updated through the same Companies House process. Identity verification for non-resident new directors is often smoother through an ACSP.