Form AP01 vs AP02 – Director vs Corporate Director Appointment (UK Guide 2026)

When appointing a director in a UK company, one of the most common mistakes businesses make is using the wrong Companies House form. In the UK, Form AP01 is used to appoint an individual director, while Form AP02 is used to appoint a corporate director (a company acting as a director). Understanding the difference is essential to avoid rejected filings, compliance issues, and delays with Companies House.

Appointing a director to a UK company sounds simple — but using the wrong Companies House form can lead to rejected filings, delays, and compliance issues.

We make sure your director appointments are filed correctly, quickly, and fully compliant with UK company law.

Our Director Appointment Service Includes

When you use our service, we handle everything:

• Preparation of AP01 or AP02 forms
• Director consent to act documentation
• Updating statutory registers
• Filing with Companies House
• PSC (Person with Significant Control) filings if required
• Confirmation your filing has been accepted
• Digital copies for your records

Who This Service Is For

This service is ideal if you are:

• Starting a new UK company
• Adding a new director
• Replacing a director
• Setting up a business for Amazon, Shopify, eBay, Etsy, or TikTok Shop
• Opening a business bank account
• Bringing in a business partner
• Creating a holding company structure

Why Getting This Right Matters

Your Companies House record is checked by:

• Banks
• Payment processors (Stripe, PayPal)
• Amazon & e-commerce platforms
• Lenders
• Accountants
• Investors

Incorrect director records can cause:

• Bank account rejections
• Payment gateway verification failures
• Amazon account suspensions
• Due diligence issues

Accuracy is not optional — it’s critical.

Simple 3-Step Process

Step 1 — Send Director Details
We collect the required information securely.

Step 2 — We Prepare & File Forms
We complete the correct Companies House forms and file them.

Step 3 — Confirmation
You receive confirmation once the appointment is officially registered.

Same-Day Filing Available

Standard filing: 24 hours
Same-day filing: Available on request

Get Your Director Appointed Correctly

If you need to appoint a director and want to avoid delays or rejected filings, we can handle the entire process for you.

Contact us today to get started.

Optional Add-On Services

• PSC (Person with Significant Control) registration
• Company formation
• Registered office address
• Business bank account setup assistance
• VAT registration
• Amazon / Shopify company setup
• Annual accounts & corporation tax
• Confirmation Statement filing

What Is Form AP01?

Form AP01 is used to appoint an individual (natural person) as a company director.

This is the most common type of director appointment in the UK and is required under the Companies Act 2006, which states that every company must have at least one natural person director.

Information Required for AP01
When filing AP01, you must provide:

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Nationality
• Occupation
• Service address (public)
• Residential address (private)
• Country of residence
• Consent to act
• Identity verification (2026 requirement)
• Companies House Personal Code (if applicable)

Deadline: Must be filed within 14 days of appointment.

What Is Form AP02?

Form AP02 is used to appoint a corporate director, meaning a company is appointed as a director of another company.

Corporate directors are allowed in the UK, but under 2026 ECCTA rules, they are heavily regulated and must meet strict transparency requirements.

Information Required for AP02
When filing AP02, you must provide:

• Corporate director company name
• Registered office address
• Company registration number
• Legal form (if foreign company)
• Governing law (if foreign company)
• Register of companies
• Registration number
• Consent to act
• Identity verification for all directors of the corporate director

Deadline: Must be filed within 14 days of appointment.

Key Difference – AP01 vs AP02

Example – When to Use AP01 vs AP02

Example 1 – Individual Director
You appoint John Smith as a director → Use Form AP01.

Example 2 – Corporate Director
You appoint ABC Holdings Ltd as a director → Use Form AP02

Example 3 – Mixed Board

Many companies have both individual and corporate directors, so both forms may be required.

2026 Identity Verification Rules (Important)

Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, identity verification is now mandatory.

For AP01 (Individual Director)

• The individual must complete identity verification
• Must obtain a Companies House Personal Code
• Must not act before verification is complete

For AP02 (Corporate Director)

• All directors of the corporate director company must complete identity verification
• Corporate director must have only natural person directors
• Corporate director chains are not allowed

Common Filing Mistakes

Director Appointment Filing Timeline

Summary – AP01 vs AP02

After Appointing a Director – What Must Be Updated

When a new director is appointed, you must update:

• Companies House register
• Company’s Register of Directors
• Bank account signatories
• Amazon / Shopify / Stripe business details (if applicable)
• HMRC records (if director is paid salary)

Relevant authority:

• HM Revenue and Customs

Practical Tip (Real World)

For 99% of e-commerce Ltd companies, the correct setup is:

And the correct form is:

• AP01

AP02 is typically used only in group company structures, holding companies, or corporate governance structures — not standard online businesses.

Summary

• AP01 → Individual director (most common)
• AP02 → Corporate director (now restricted)
• Always ensure director details match ID documents
• File immediately after appointment
• Keep statutory registers updated

Understanding the Role of a Corporate Director (UK Guide 2026)

A corporate director is a person appointed as a director of another company. While this structure is still legal in the UK, the rules have become stricter under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA). Companies House now requires more transparency, identity verification, and clear disclosure of the individuals behind corporate directors.

Understanding the role, responsibilities, appointment process (Form AP02), and address requirements is essential for companies using corporate director structures in 2026.

What Is a Corporate Director?

A corporate director is a legal entity (company) appointed to the board of another company instead of an individual person.

Example Structure

In this structure, ABC Holdings Ltd is the corporate director of XYZ Trading Ltd, but real control still sits with John Smith, who is the individual director behind the corporate director.

Responsibilities of a Corporate Director

A corporate director has the same legal duties as an individual director under the Companies Act 2006.

These duties include:

• Acting in the best interests of the company
• Promoting the success of the company
• Exercising independent judgment
• Exercising reasonable care, skill, and diligence
• Avoiding conflicts of interest
• Ensuring accounts are filed
• Ensuring confirmation statements are filed
• Ensuring tax obligations are met
• Maintaining statutory records
• Ensuring Companies House compliance

Even though the director is a company, the individual directors behind the corporate director can still be held responsible.

Why Companies Use Corporate Directors

Businesses use corporate directors for:

Example Structure

Corporate Director Appointment UK – Form AP02 Guide

To appoint a corporate director in the UK, you must file Form AP02 with Companies House.

Information Required for Form AP02
You must provide:

• Company name and registration number
• Corporate director name
• Corporate director registered office
• Country of incorporation
• Legal form (if foreign company)
• Governing law (if foreign company)
• Registration number
• Consent to act
• Appointment date

Filing Deadline
Form AP02 must be filed within 14 days of the appointment.

2026 Rules for Corporate Directors (Important)

Under the ECCTA, corporate directors must meet strict rules:

If these rules are not met, Companies House may reject the appointment.

Service Address vs Residential Address – Directors UK

When appointing a corporate director (and its individual directors), Companies House requires two types of addresses.

Service Address
The service address is:

• Public on Companies House
• Used for official mail
• Can be the registered office
• Can be an accountant’s or service provider’s address

Residential Address
The residential address is:

• Private
• Used only by Companies House and HMRC
• Required for identity verification
• Not visible to the public

Example – Corporate Director Structure with Addresses

Importance of a Corporate Director

A corporate director can play an important role in:

• Corporate governance
• Group company control
• Risk management
• Investment structures
• International expansion
• Professional management

However, due to 2026 transparency rules, corporate directors must be properly structured and compliant.

Risks of Corporate Directors Structure with Addresses

Summary

Form AP01 vs AP02 – Director vs Corporate Director Appointment

When appointing a director in a UK company, it is essential to use the correct Companies House form. The two main forms used are:

• Form AP01 – Appointment of an individual director
• Form AP02 – Appointment of a corporate director

Understanding the difference between these forms is important for compliance, especially under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA), which introduces identity verification requirements for directors.

If your appointment is part of a broader company restructure or ownership change, you should also review
Change of Control and Corporate Restructuring, where director appointments often occur alongside ownership and governance changes.

What Is Form AP01?

Form AP01 is used to appoint an individual person as a director of a UK company. This includes:

• UK resident directors
• Non-resident directors
• Executive directors
• Non-executive directors
• Nominee directors
• Independent directors

You can learn more about filing this form here:
Why Choose Coddan for Electronically Filing Form AP01?

If you are appointing a UK resident director through an authorised provider:
How to Appoint a UK Resident Director Effectively via ACSP Provider

To understand the benefits for overseas business owners:
How UK Resident Director Services Benefit Non-Residents

If you need a UK-based director for an online business:
Assign a Local Director for the UK for the Businesses of eBay, Amazon, TikTok, and Etsy

You can also read full appointment guides here:
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Appoint a Dedicated Director in the UK
Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming Appointed as a Company Director

To understand different director roles:
Legally Appoint an Executive or Non-Executive Director for a Private Ltd Company
Understanding the Role of a Resident Statutory Director in the UK
Understanding the Role of a Statutory Independent Director Based in the UK
Choosing Between a Nominee Director and an Independent UK-Based Resident Director

To understand director responsibilities and governance:
How to Strengthen Leadership Through Director Duties

What Is Form AP02?

Form AP02 is used to appoint a corporate director, meaning a company is appointed as a director of another company. Corporate directors are typically used in:

• Group company structures
• Holding company structures
• Investment structures
• Corporate governance frameworks

You can read more about the corporate director appointment process here:
Steps to Appoint a Corporate Director in the UK Using Form AP02
Corporate Director Appointment UK – New Rules and Form AP02

ECCTA Identity Verification Requirements

Under ECCTA, identity verification is required for:

• Individual directors
• PSCs (Persons with Significant Control)
• Corporate directors and their officers

Verification must be completed before filing appointments:
ECCTA 2026 ID Verification Service

AP01 vs AP02 – Key Differences

Choosing the correct form is essential to avoid rejected filings and compliance issues.

Director Appointments and Company Ownership Changes

Director appointments often occur alongside ownership changes, investment, or restructuring. These changes may involve filings such as:

• Form SH01 Explained: Allotment of Shares Made Easy – when issuing new shares
• Form SH02 – Change of Share Capital Expert Filing Service – when restructuring share capital
• Form J30 the Stock Transfer: Fast and Simple Submission J30 Form – when transferring fully paid shares
• Form J10 the Stock Transfer: Quick and Easy Submission J10 Form – when transferring partly paid shares
• e-Filing the Form SH03 (Return of Purchase of Own Shares)– when the company buys back shares

These filings are commonly part of corporate restructuring and ownership changes.

If you are replacing a director as part of the appointment process:
How to Simplify Director Removal (Form TM01) for Your Business

Why Choose Coddan for Director Appointment Filings?

• ✔ AP01 and AP02 Filing Services
  We handle both individual and corporate director appointments.
• ✔ ECCTA Identity Verification
  We ensure all directors meet identity verification requirements.
• ✔ Companies House Filing Support
  We submit AP01, AP02, and TM01 forms.
• ✔ Corporate Governance Support
  We support restructuring and governance changes.
• ✔ Support for UK and Non-Resident Business Owners
  We specialise in UK companies owned by overseas entrepreneurs.

Appoint the Right Director Using the Correct Form

Ensure your director appointment is filed correctly using the appropriate Companies House form.

• ✔ AP01 and AP02 filing
• ✔ ECCTA identity verification
• ✔ Full compliance support

Contact Coddan today for professional director appointment services.