As of January 27, 2025, significant changes will come into effect regarding the suppression of personal information at Companies House. These changes, driven by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, aim to balance corporate transparency with the protection of individual privacy. These changes are intended to safeguard personal information while maintaining the integrity of corporate records.
Key Changes Effective January 27, 2025
From January 27, 2025, individuals will be able to apply to suppress certain personal information from historical documents held by Companies House. This includes the suppression of home addresses listed as registered office addresses. This change is particularly important for individuals who have used their home address as their company’s registered office, as it allows them to protect their privacy without compromising the company’s compliance with legal requirements.
Additionally, from spring/summer 2025, individuals will be able to suppress further personal information from historical documents. This includes residential addresses, birth dates (for documents registered before October 2015), signatures, and business occupations. These measures are designed to prevent the misuse of personal information and protect individuals from potential harm.
Protection for Individuals at Risk
One of the most significant aspects of these changes is the protection offered to individuals at risk of physical harm or violence due to their personal information being publicly accessible. For example, survivors of domestic abuse will be able to apply to have their information protected from public view. This includes the suppression of names (or previous names), sensitive addresses, and, in the most serious cases, all other details such as service addresses and partial dates of birth.
These measures aim to provide much-needed relief to those who have been vulnerable due to the public availability of their personal information.
Application Process
The application process for suppressing personal information is straightforward. Individuals can apply to Companies House to have their information suppressed from historical documents. It is important to note that this suppression applies only to historical documents and not to new filings. Therefore, individuals must ensure that their current filings comply with the new regulations while taking advantage of the suppression options for past records.
For those at risk of harm, the application process includes providing evidence of the risk. This may involve submitting documentation or statements that demonstrate the potential for physical harm or violence. Companies House will review these applications and determine the appropriate level of suppression based on the evidence provided.
Implications for Businesses
These changes have significant implications for businesses, particularly those that have used personal addresses for company registrations. At HaysMac, we advise our clients to review their historical filings and consider applying for suppression where necessary. This is especially important for directors and shareholders who have used their home addresses in company documents.
Businesses should also be aware of the broader implications of these changes. The suppression of personal information is part of a wider effort to enhance corporate transparency while protecting individual privacy. This balance is crucial for maintaining public trust in the corporate sector and ensuring that businesses can operate without compromising the safety and privacy of their stakeholders.
Conclusion
The upcoming changes to the suppression of personal information at Companies House represent a significant step forward in protecting individual privacy while maintaining corporate transparency. We are committed to helping our clients understand and navigate these changes. We believe that these measures will provide essential protections for individuals at risk and enhance the overall integrity of corporate records.
As we approach January 27, 2025, we encourage all businesses and individuals to review their historical filings and consider applying for suppression where necessary. By doing so, we can ensure that personal information is protected while maintaining the transparency and accountability that are essential to the corporate sector.
To discuss how this affects you or your business, contact Katie Holden, Head of Company Secretarial.
