Manage Company Appointments with Confidence
Appointing a director or company secretary is an important step in establishing clear leadership and effective company administration. We help you organise the required information, prepare the relevant appointment forms and notify Companies House of changes to your company’s officers.
Whether you are forming a new management team, appointing an additional director or introducing company secretarial support, we guide you through the administrative process. With careful attention to records and filing requirements, we help keep your company information accurate and up to date, allowing you to focus on running your business.
Forms covered
| Form | Description |
|---|---|
| AP01 | Appointment of Director (version 10.0, 08/26): appoints an individual as a director |
| AP02 | Appointment of Corporate Director (version 8.0, 11/25) |
| AP03 | Appointment of Secretary (version 7.0, 11/25): appoints an individual as secretary |
| AP04 | Appointment of Corporate Secretary (version 8.0, 11/25) |
| AP05 | Appointment of CIC Manager, Receiver and Manager or Judicial Factor (version 4.0, 05/10) |
Deadlines
- AP01 to AP04: Companies House must be told within 14 days of changes to directors or secretaries.
- AP05: file promptly after the appointment.
Key points
- The company name and number must match the public register.
- Addresses must be physical locations, not PO Boxes, DX or LP numbers.
- AP01 needs a full date of birth and usual residential address, which are kept off the public record. The service address appears publicly.
- Corporate appointments need a principal office address and, for UK entities, a registration number.
- Consent to act must be ticked and the form authenticated.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which Form Appoints a Corporate Director?
Use form AP02 to notify Companies House when an eligible body or firm is appointed as a corporate director. The filing identifies the organisation being appointed. If you are appointing an individual, use AP01 and provide their Companies House personal code as part of the filing.
Can a PO Box Be Used as an Address?
The answer depends on the type of address. A company’s registered office must be an appropriate physical address in the correct UK jurisdiction. A Royal Mail PO Box does not qualify. For an officer’s service address, provide a full physical address where correspondence can be delivered. If it includes a PO Box number, check the instructions on the relevant appointment form before filing.
How Soon Must I Notify Companies House About a New Appointment?
Notify Companies House within 14 days of appointing a director or company secretary. Use the effective appointment date when preparing the filing. For an individual director, arrange identity verification and obtain their personal code early so the notification can be filed on time.
What Information Do I Need to Appoint an Individual Director?
Have the company name and registration number, the appointment date, and the director’s details ready. These include their full name, date of birth, nationality, service address and usual residential address. Confirm that the individual has agreed to act and has verified their identity, and obtain their Companies House personal code for the AP01 filing.
Does a New Director Need to Verify Their Identity Before Filing AP01?
Yes. The individual must verify their identity and obtain a Companies House personal code. When you file AP01, you provide that code and confirm that the director has verified their identity. Arrange this before filing so you have the information needed to complete the appointment notification.
Does a Private Limited Company Need a Company Secretary?
A private limited company does not generally need to appoint a company secretary. It can choose to appoint one to help with company records and filings. If it does, use AP03 for an individual secretary or AP04 for a corporate secretary. The directors remain responsible for the company’s legal obligations.
Who Can Be Appointed as an Individual Director?
An individual director must be at least 16 and must not be disqualified from acting as a director. A private limited company must have at least one director who is an individual. Directors can live outside the UK, while the company must maintain a UK registered office.
Will a Director’s Home Address Appear on the Public Register?
Companies House normally keeps the director’s usual residential address off the public register. The service address is public, so if a director uses their home address for correspondence, it will appear in that capacity. A separate service address can help keep their home address private.