Companies House identity verification leads to first director prosecutions

The Insolvency Service has secured the first convictions for failing to comply with Companies House identity verification requirements. Three directors were fined at City of London Magistrates’ Court following prosecutions brought under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.

Jill White and Marc Dillon, directors of White (Reading Properties) Limited, and Modinat Banjo, director of J Isogony Apparel Limited, received fines for their failure to meet these legal standards. White acted as a director, participated in board-level decisions, and signed company accounts without completing identity verification until months after the deadline. Dillon, who had verified his own identity, was prosecuted for failing to take reasonable steps to prevent White from acting as an unverified director despite being aware of the legal requirements.

The identity verification mandate is designed to improve the accuracy of the company register and prevent the misuse of UK companies for criminal activities. Since November 18, 2025, newly appointed directors must verify their identities before acting, while existing directors are required to do so during a 12-month transition period when filing their company’s next confirmation statement.