Last week marked ten years since Companies House made all digital company data freely available through its online service on GOV.UK. Since launching on 22 June 2015, the Find and Update company information tool has become one of the UK’s most heavily used public data services, with over 16.5 billion searches carried out in 2023–24 alone.
The data includes details on every UK-registered company—such as directors, financial filings, registered addresses, filing history, and company status. It’s used every day by lenders, investors, regulators, law enforcement, and businesses of all sizes to make informed decisions.
🧰 How This Data Can Help You Run and Grow Your Business
As your accountant, we regularly use Companies House data behind the scenes—but it’s also a powerful tool that you can use to support growth, reduce risk, and manage your operations more effectively.
Here are some practical ways it can benefit your business:
- 🔍 Check who you’re dealing with: Before working with a new supplier, customer, or partner, use Companies House to confirm their legal status, directors, and trading history. It’s a simple step that can help protect your business from fraud or unreliable firms.
- 📊 Monitor competitors or industry trends: View company filings, changes in directorship, or new company formations in your sector—helpful for tracking competitors or spotting new opportunities.
- 💸 Improve credit control and chase debts: Knowing who legally controls a business (and where they’re registered) is crucial for chasing unpaid invoices or planning legal follow-ups.
- 💼 Support funding and investment conversations: Comparing your business with competitors via their filings can strengthen your case in finance or investor meetings.
- ✅ Stay compliant: Reviewing how other businesses manage filings can help you stay on track and avoid costly penalties or reputational damage.
- 📈 Spot opportunities to expand: Identifying newly registered companies in your space could open the door to potential customers, partners, or untapped markets.
🔮 What’s Next?
The data is about to become even more reliable. New reforms under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act will bring mandatory identity checks for directors and other measures to boost accuracy.