Changes to Company Statutory Registers: What Businesses Need to Know

• Media
• Changes to Company Statutory Registers: What Businesses Need to Know

Companies are legally required to keep certain statutory records, but recent regulatory changes mean that the range of registers companies must maintain has been significantly reduced. These updates affect how company information is stored and what must still be made available for public inspection.

Registers No Longer Required

From 18 November 2025, companies are no longer obliged to maintain internal registers of:

• directors (or equivalent officers);
• directors’ or officers’ residential addresses;
• company secretaries; and
• persons with significant control (PSCs)

Although these internal registers have been abolished, companies must still ensure that all relevant information is submitted to Companies House and kept accurate and up to date.

In addition, when appointing directors or equivalent individuals, there is now no requirement to provide a business occupation, simplifying the filing process.

End of the Central Register Option

The previous ability for companies to rely on the central register at Companies House instead of keeping internal registers has now been fully removed.

• The option to keep details of directors, secretaries, and PSCs on the central register ended on 18 November 2025.
• The option to keep the register of members on the central register was withdrawn on 26 January 2026.

All companies must now keep internal records in accordance with the updated requirements.

Ongoing Requirement to Maintain a Register of Members

Despite these reforms, companies must still maintain a statutory register of members (shareholders). This register must be held either:

• at the company’s registered office, or
• at a designated single alternative inspection location (SAIL).

If your company previously elected to keep its members’ register on the central register, you must now:

1. Prepare and maintain a complete internal register of members;
2. Hold this register at the registered office or SAIL address; and
3. Ensure it is available for public inspection in line with statutory requirements.

Maintaining an accurate register of members remains essential, as it is the definitive record of the company’s ownership.

Need Support With Compliance? Our Corporate Team Can Help

These changes place new responsibilities on companies to ensure their statutory information is correctly maintained and accessible. Our corporate team is on hand to guide you through the updates and assist with bringing your registers into full compliance.

To find out more about what we can do for you, contact our corporate team.

Contributors

Alasdair Smith, Partner
Corporate

Matt Fraser, Trainee Solicitor
Corporate