On 19 April 2017, Companies House published its business plan for 2017-2018 and its strategic plan for 2017-2020. One of the goals of Companies House is to support the UK government's commitment to make the UK the most transparent place in the world to do business. In particular, this applies in the context of beneficial ownership of interests in companies and other entities.

In particular, Companies House will focus on:

  • implementing the Fourth Money Laundering Directive by the end of June 2017 (which was in fact implemented on 26 June 2017);
  • working to improve the accuracy and completeness of information regarding people with significant control; and
  • working with the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy:
  • to prepare for future legislative changes, including the creation of a new register showing the beneficial owners of overseas entities that own or propose to buy property in the UK; and
  • to consider whether the register strikes the right balance between corporate transparency and protection of the individual's privacy.

The business plan for 2017-2018 is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/609263/Companies_House_Business_Plan_2017-18.pdf

The strategic plan for 2017-2020 is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/609467/Companies_House_Strategy_2017-2020.pdf

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.