Change or Appoint a Company Director – ECCTA 2026 Compliant Service

If you need to change a director, remove a director, or appoint a new director to a UK limited company, it is important to follow the correct legal procedure. Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA), Companies House has introduced mandatory identity verification for directors, which means that appointing a new director is no longer just a simple form filing. The new director must complete identity verification before the appointment can be accepted and registered.

Our Director Appointment and Change Service ensures that your company director changes are completed correctly, quickly, and in full compliance with Companies House and ECCTA requirements. We handle the Companies House filings, guide you through identity verification, and ensure your company records are properly updated.

Introducing our seamless company director detail management service.
Whether you need to add, change, or amend your director details, we offer a straightforward solution tailored to meet your needs. Our electronic webforms enable you to complete the entire process online, providing you with efficiency and convenience at your fingertips.
For those who prefer a more personal touch, our team of seasoned experts is available to assist you offline at our London office. With our extensive experience and knowledge in corporate governance, you can trust that every detail will be handled with precision and expertise.
Choose our service for a hassle-free, professional approach to managing your company director information. Your compliance and satisfaction are our top priorities. Start your accomplished journey with Coddan CPM today!

Becoming a Company Director for the First Time

Becoming a company director for the first time is an important step that comes with legal responsibilities as well as strategic and managerial duties. Many new directors are not fully aware of their legal obligations when they are first appointed, which is why it is important to understand your responsibilities and ensure that your appointment is completed correctly and in compliance with Companies House requirements.

One of the first steps when becoming a director is to provide your consent to act as a director and complete identity verification, where required. Companies House now requires identity verification for new directors, and your appointment cannot be completed until this process has been finalised. Once appointed, your name will appear on the public Companies House register as a director of the company.

As a company director, you have legal duties under the Companies Act, including acting in the best interests of the company, keeping proper company records, filing accounts and confirmation statements on time, and ensuring the company complies with HMRC and Companies House requirements. Failure to meet these responsibilities can result in penalties, fines, or the company being struck off the register.

When you become a director, you should review the company’s Articles of Association, statutory registers, and recent company filings to understand the structure of the company and its current compliance position. You should also ensure that you have access to the company bank account, accounting records, Companies House filing account, and HMRC Government Gateway so that you can manage the company properly.

The first few months as a director are usually focused on understanding how the company operates, reviewing the company’s financial position, and ensuring that all company records and filings are up to date. This includes confirming that annual accounts, confirmation statements, and tax filings are being submitted on time and that the company’s registered office and company records are properly maintained.

Our First-Time Director Service is designed to help new directors complete the appointment process correctly, understand their responsibilities, and ensure that the company is compliant with Companies House and HMRC requirements. We can assist with director appointment filings, identity verification guidance, updating statutory registers, and ensuring that you have control of the company filings and records.

This service is particularly useful if you are appointing yourself as a director of a UK company for the first time, taking over an existing company, replacing a nominee director, or purchasing a company and becoming the new director. We ensure that the process is completed correctly and that you understand what is required of you as a company director.

If you are becoming a director for the first time and need assistance with the appointment process or company compliance, our team can guide you through the process and ensure that everything is set up correctly from the start.

Appoint Me as the First-Time Director

When Do You Need to Change a Director?

You may need to appoint or remove a director in the following situations:

• If a director resigns from the company
• If a new owner wants to appoint themselves as a director
• If you are replacing a nominee director
• If a director is no longer involved in the business
• If the company is being sold or transferred to a new owner
• If you need to restructure the company management
• If a director has moved overseas and a new director is required

It is important that director changes are filed correctly and on time, as Companies House requires director termination forms to be submitted within 14 days of the resignation date.

How to File
In 2026, the Form AP01 is the official document used to notify Companies House of the appointment of an individual as a director of a UK private or public limited company.

While it has always been the standard form for this purpose, the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA) has fundamentally changed its "nature" from a simple notification to a high-stakes compliance filing.

1. WebFiling (Most Efficient): Most companies file the AP01 directly through the Companies House online portal. It is faster (processed in 3–24 hours) and reduces the risk of manual data entry errors.
2. Software Filing: High-growth companies often use our secretarial software that syncs their internal "Register of Directors" directly with Companies House.
3. Paper Filing: Still exists but is discouraged in 2026. It takes 5–10 days and is usually only used for complex legal restorations.

Order Director Change Service. Order your Director Change Service today and we will start the process immediately.

If you need to appoint a new director, remove an existing director, or replace a director under the new ECCTA identity verification rules, our team can handle the entire process for you. We will guide you through identity verification, prepare the required company documents, and file the necessary forms with Companies House to ensure your director change is completed correctly and on time.

Our service is suitable for UK residents and non-UK residents who need to update their company directors quickly and in full compliance with Companies House requirements.

Book a Consultation

If you are unsure about the process for changing a director, appointing yourself as a director, or removing a nominee director, you can book a consultation with our team. We will explain the process, the new identity verification requirements, and the correct order for appointing and removing directors to ensure your company remains compliant.

A consultation is recommended if your company has multiple directors, overseas directors, nominee directors, or if the company ownership is also being transferred at the same time as the director change.

Book a consultation and we will guide you through the entire process step by step.

Speak to a Company Formation Advisor

If you need help with a director change, company formation, registered office address, nominee director service, or ongoing company compliance, our company formation advisors are available to assist you.

We can help you choose the correct service, prepare the required documents, and ensure that your company remains fully compliant with Companies House and HMRC requirements.

Speak to a Company Formation Advisor today to discuss your company requirements.

New 2026 Rules – Identity Verification for Directors

Under the new ECCTA rules, all new directors must complete identity verification before they can be appointed. This is done through the GOV.UK One Login system or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).

Once identity verification is completed, the director will receive a personal identification number issued by Companies House. This number must be provided when the new director is appointed, otherwise Companies House may reject the appointment.

We can assist you with this process and ensure that the director’s appointment is filed correctly once identity verification is complete.

Our Director Change Service Includes

Our service includes preparing and filing all necessary Companies House forms and guiding you through the entire process from start to finish. We ensure that the new director is appointed correctly and that the outgoing director is removed in the correct order to avoid compliance issues.

The service includes the preparation and filing of the director appointment form, the preparation and filing of the director termination form, guidance on identity verification requirements, and guidance on updating your company's statutory registers. We also provide guidance on notifying banks, HMRC, and other third parties of the director change.

How the Director Change Process Works

The process begins with identity verification for the new director. Once this is completed, we prepare the necessary company documents, including board minutes and director consent forms. We then file the appointment of the new director with Companies House. Once the appointment has been registered, we file the termination of the outgoing director. Finally, we guide you on updating your statutory registers and notifying banks and HMRC.

This ensures that your company always has at least one director and remains compliant with UK company law.

Same Day Director Change Available?

In most cases, director appointments and resignations can be filed electronically and are processed by Companies House within 24 hours. Our same-day service ensures that your director change is submitted as quickly as possible once we receive all required information and identity verification has been completed.

Director Change Service Fees?

We offer a fixed fee Director Change Service with no hidden charges. The service includes the preparation and filing of all Companies House forms and guidance through the identity verification process.

Please contact us for current pricing or order the service online.

What Information Is Required?

To appoint a new director, we will require the following information:

• Full name of the new director
• Date of birth
• Nationality
• Occupation
• Residential address
• Service address
• Email address
• Phone number
• Identity verification confirmation

If you are removing a director, we will require the resignation date and the full name of the director who is leaving the company.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to verify my identity before becoming a director?
Yes. Under the new ECCTA rules, identity verification is required before a new director can be appointed.

How long does it take to change a director?
Once identity verification is completed, Companies House usually processes director appointments within 24 hours.

Do I need to inform HMRC if I change a director?
Yes, you should inform HMRC and your bank after a director change to ensure the new director has authority to manage the company.

Can you appoint and remove a director at the same time?
Yes, but the new director must be appointed first before the old director is removed if the company only has one director.

Order Director Change Service

If you need to appoint a new director or remove an existing director, we can handle the entire process for you quickly and efficiently.

Order online or contact our team if you need assistance with identity verification or Companies House filing requirements.

Change or Appoint a Company Director (2026 ECCTA-Compliant Service)

Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA), the process for appointing or changing a director of a UK limited company has changed significantly. Companies House now requires all new directors to complete identity verification before they can be legally appointed and act as a director. This means that changing a director is no longer just a matter of filing a form — the new director must first complete the mandatory identity verification process and obtain a personal verification code before the appointment can be accepted.

Our Director Appointment and Change Service is designed to handle this entire process for you, ensuring that your company remains compliant while avoiding common mistakes that can lead to rejected filings, compliance issues, or problems with banks and payment providers.

The process typically begins with identity verification. The new director must complete identity verification using the GOV.UK One Login system or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). Once verification is completed, the director receives a personal identification number issued by Companies House. This number is required before Companies House will accept the appointment filing.

Once identity verification is complete, the company must approve the change internally. This involves preparing the necessary corporate documents, including the director’s resignation letter (if an existing director is leaving), board minutes approving the resignation and appointment, and the new director’s consent to act. These documents form part of the company’s statutory records and must be retained for compliance purposes.

We then file the appointment of the new director with Companies House using the appropriate form. Once the new director has been successfully appointed and appears on the Companies House register, we proceed with the termination of the outgoing director using the correct termination form. This order is important because UK law requires every company to have at least one natural person as a director at all times, so the new director must be appointed before the old director is removed if they were the only director.

After the Companies House filings are completed, the company’s internal statutory registers must be updated to reflect the change of director. This is a legal requirement and forms part of the company’s official records. Many companies overlook this step, but failure to maintain accurate statutory registers can result in compliance issues.

Finally, it is important to notify third parties of the director change. Banks, HMRC, VAT authorities, payment providers, and online platforms such as Amazon or TikTok do not automatically update their records when Companies House is notified. We can guide you through the process of notifying these institutions to ensure that the new director has full authority to manage the company and that there are no disruptions to banking, payments, or platform accounts.

Our ECCTA-compliant Director Change Service ensures that the entire process is handled correctly, from identity verification through to Companies House filings and statutory register updates. This reduces the risk of rejected filings, compliance problems, or operational disruptions and ensures that your company remains fully compliant with current UK company law requirements.

If you need to appoint a new director, replace an existing director, or appoint yourself as a director of a UK company for the first time, our team can manage the entire process on your behalf and ensure that everything is completed correctly and efficiently.

The process is now governed by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, and identity verification is being introduced via Companies House.

The key change is:

Directors must now complete identity verification before they can be appointed and act as a director.

However, the forms AP01 and TM01 still exist — the “old way” is not gone; it just now includes identity verification.

Step 1 — Identity Verification (New Requirement)

Before becoming a director, you must verify your identity with Companies House.

You can do this via:

• GOV.UK One Login
• GOV.UK ID Check app
• Through an ACSP (Authorised Corporate Service Provider)

You will receive a Companies House personal identification number (often called a personal code/director ID).

This is now required for:

• New director appointments
• PSCs (Persons with Significant Control)
• Filing certain documents

So this part is correct.

Step 2 — Company Approval (Legal Requirement)

Before filing anything at Companies House, the company must approve the change internally.

This usually involves:

• Director resignation letter
• Board resolution accepting resignation
• Board resolution appointing new director
• Consent to Act from new director

These documents are not filed at Companies House but must be kept in company records.

Step 3 — Appoint New Director (AP01)

File Form AP01 with Companies House.

You will need:

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Nationality
• Occupation
• Service address
• Residential address
• Identity verification number

Processing time:

• Online: often same day to 24 hours

Important rule:

You must always have at least one natural person director.

So if replacing the only director, appoint the new director first, then remove the old one.

Step 4 — Remove Old Director (TM01)

File Form TM01 to terminate the old director.

Deadline:
Must be filed within 14 days of the resignation date. This is a statutory requirement.

Step 5 — Update Statutory Registers (Legal Requirement)

You must update:

• Register of Directors
• Register of Directors’ Residential Addresses
• PSC Register (if applicable)

This is a legal requirement under the Companies Act, even though Companies House is the public register.

Step 6 — Notify Third Parties (Very Important Practically)

This is where many people make mistakes.

You must update:

• Bank
• Payment providers (Stripe, PayPal, TikTok Shop, Amazon)
• HMRC (Corporation Tax)
• HMRC VAT
• PAYE (if registered)
• Government Gateway access
• Accountants
• Insurance
• Merchant accounts

Banks will often require:

• Board resolution
• Updated Companies House record
• ID verification
• Proof of address
• New director KYC

Important 2026 Change Most People Don’t Know

Under ECCTA:

• Companies House can reject filings if identity verification is not complete.
• Directors will have to verify their identity annually (rolling requirement).
• You cannot act as a director until verified.
• Providing a false director is now a criminal offence.
• Companies House now has power to remove directors and strike off companies faster.

This is a major shift — Companies House is becoming a regulator, not just a registry.

Simple 2026 Director Change Checklist

Correct order:

• Verify identity (IDV)
• Get a resignation letter from the old director
• Prepare board minutes
• File AP01 (appoint new director)
• File TM01 (remove old director)
• Update statutory registers
• Update bank, HMRC, platforms

Very Common Mistake (Important)

If you remove the old director before appointing the new one and the company has no directors even briefly, you can create:

• Companies House compliance breach
• Bank account freeze
• Platform account suspension (Amazon, TikTok, Stripe)
• Issues signing documents

Always:
Appoint first → Remove second

The bank update is usually the slowest part, not Companies House.

Final Practical Advice (2026 Reality)

In 2026, changing a director is no longer just a formality — it is now a KYC event across:

• Companies House
• Banks
• HMRC
• Payment processors
• Marketplaces (Amazon, TikTok, Etsy)

From a risk perspective, changing a director can temporarily trigger:

• Bank reviews
• Payment holds
• Platform re-verification

So the change should be planned, not done casually.

Change a Company Director – UK Limited Company Director Change Service

If you need to change a director of a UK private limited company, it is important that the process is completed correctly and in accordance with Companies House requirements. Whether you are appointing a new director, removing an existing director, or appointing yourself as a director for the first time, the company must follow the correct legal procedure and notify Companies House within the required time limits.

Our Company Director Change Service is designed to handle the entire process on your behalf, ensuring that all documents are prepared correctly and filed with Companies House in the correct order. This helps prevent rejected filings, delays, or compliance issues that can arise if the process is not handled properly.

There are several reasons why a company may need to change a director. Common situations include a director resigning from the company, a new business owner appointing themselves as director after purchasing a company, replacing a nominee director, restructuring the company management, or appointing an additional director to help manage the business. Whatever the reason, the change must be properly documented and filed.

When changing a director, the company must prepare internal company documents, including board minutes, a director resignation letter (if a director is leaving), and a consent to act form for the new director. The company must then notify Companies House by filing the appropriate forms to appoint and/or terminate a director. Companies House must be notified of a director’s resignation within 14 days of the resignation date.

It is also important to ensure that the company always has at least one director who is a natural person. If the company only has one director, the new director must be appointed before the existing director is removed. This is a legal requirement, and failing to follow the correct order can cause compliance problems.

As part of our service, we prepare and file the director appointment form and director termination form with Companies House and guide you through the information required for the new director. We also advise you on updating your company’s statutory registers and notifying HMRC, your bank, and other relevant organisations of the director change.

Director changes can sometimes cause issues with banks or payment providers if not handled correctly, particularly if the new director will be responsible for managing the company bank account or financial transactions. We ensure the director change is completed correctly and that you understand the next steps after Companies House updates the company record.

Our Director Change Service is suitable for UK residents and non-UK residents who need to appoint a new director, remove a director, or appoint themselves as director of a UK company. The process is straightforward when handled correctly, and we can usually submit the Companies House filing on the same day once we receive all the required information.

If you need to change a director of your company, our team can handle the entire process for you quickly and efficiently, ensuring that your company records are updated correctly and that the Companies House filing requirements are met.

Change Company Director UK (ECCTA 2026 ID Verification Service)

Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA), new identity verification requirements have been introduced for company directors and persons with significant control in the UK. From 2026, directors must verify their identity when being appointed, when their details change, and in many cases when Companies House filings are made on their behalf.

Coddan provides a complete Director Change and ID Verification Service, helping companies appoint, remove, or replace directors while meeting ECCTA identity verification requirements through an authorised service provider.

What Is ECCTA Director ID Verification?

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act introduces mandatory identity verification for:

• New director appointments
• Existing directors
• People with Significant Control (PSC)
• Individuals filing documents at Companies House

Identity verification must be completed through an authorised provider before filings can be submitted.

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

When Do You Need to Change a Company Director?

You may need to change a director when:

• Appointing a new director
• Replacing a director
• A director resigns
• Restructuring company management
• Bringing in a UK resident director
• Changing company ownership

Each of these actions requires the correct Companies House forms and identity verification compliance.

Director Appointment, Removal and Replacement

Changing a director usually involves multiple filings:

Appoint a New Director
Why Choose Coddan for Electronically Filing Form AP01?
Appoint a Corporate Director
Steps to Appoint a Corporate Director in the UK Using Form AP02
Remove a Director
How to Simplify Director Removal (Form TM01) for Your Business
If you are a non-resident and need a UK-based director:
Assign a Local Director for the UK for the Businesses of eBay, Amazon, TikTok, and Etsy
You can also learn more about the process here:
How to Appoint a UK Resident Director Effectively via ACSP Provider
How UK Resident Director Services Benefit Non-Residents

Director Changes and Ownership Restructuring

Director changes often happen alongside ownership changes or company restructuring. These may include:

Issuing New Shares
Form SH01 Explained: Allotment of Shares Made Easy
Changing Share Capital Structure
Form SH02 – Change of Share Capital Expert Filing Service
Transferring Shares
Form J30 the Stock Transfer: Fast and Simple Submission J30 Form
Form J10 the Stock Transfer: Quick and Easy Submission J10 Form
Share Buybacks
e-Filing the Form SH03 (Return of Purchase of Own Shares)
Handling these filings together ensures your company records remain consistent and compliant.

Why ECCTA Compliance Is Important

Failure to complete identity verification may result in:

• Rejected Companies House filings
• Penalties
• Inability to act as a director
• Delays in company changes
• Compliance issues

Using an authorised service provider ensures your identity verification and director changes are completed correctly.

Why Choose Coddan for Director Changes and ID Verification?

✔ ECCTA-Compliant Identity Verification
We verify director identities in accordance with Companies House requirements.

✔ Director Appointment and Removal Service
We handle AP01, AP02, and TM01 filings.

✔ Support for Non-Residents
We provide UK resident and nominee director services.

✔ Corporate Restructuring Support
We assist with share transfers, allotments, and ownership changes.

✔ Fast and Reliable Service
We ensure your company changes are processed without delays.

Change Your Company Director with Confidence

Ensure your director changes are compliant with ECCTA identity verification requirements and Companies House regulations.

• ✔ ECCTA-compliant verification
• ✔ Director appointment and removal
• ✔ Full Companies House filing support

Contact Coddan today to change your company director quickly and compliantly