Company secretarial services keep a UK limited company compliant at Companies House — filing the confirmation statement and annual accounts, maintaining statutory registers and the PSC register, recording board decisions, and reporting changes to directors, shareholders and the registered office.
What company secretarial services include
UK companies are subject to ongoing statutory obligations under the Companies Act, with strict filing requirements and deadlines. Managing these obligations can be time-consuming, and even minor oversights may lead to penalties or unnecessary regulatory exposure.
At Brooks Lawford, we provide a reliable and structured company secretarial service, ensuring your statutory responsibilities are handled accurately and on time. We take a proactive approach, helping you stay compliant while reducing administrative burden and allowing you to focus on running your business.
Do you need a company secretary?
Private limited companies have not been required to appoint one since section 270(1) of the Companies Act 2006 took effect on 6 April 2008. Public limited companies must still appoint one. Articles of association can impose the requirement even where the Act does not, so the articles are worth checking before concluding that no appointment is needed.
Removing the requirement did not remove the work. The filings, registers and records still have to be kept; the duty simply sits with the directors instead.
Confirmation statement and annual filings
Preparation and filing of accounts, confirmation statements, and other required submissions with Companies House. Every company must file a confirmation statement at least once every twelve months, including dormant companies and companies that have never traded.
Statutory registers and the PSC register
Maintenance of all required company registers:
- Register of members
- Register of directors and secretaries
- Register of allotments and transfers
- Register of directors’ interests
- Register of charges
- Register of people with significant control (PSC)
Corporate changes and governance support
Accurate recording and filing of key corporate changes:
- Appointment or resignation of officers
- Changes to registered office
- Share allotments and transfers
- Changes to share capital
- Changes to accounting reference date
We also prepare documentation for board meetings and annual general meetings (AGMs), so that governance processes are properly followed and recorded.
Outsourced company secretarial support
Outsourced company secretarial services in the UK are widely used by companies that want the obligations met without carrying the function internally. We provide ongoing support, including acting as company secretary where required, and can combine this with a registered office address service or wider tax compliance work.
With Brooks Lawford, your company secretarial matters are managed with precision, consistency, and attention to detail, supporting full compliance and peace of mind.
Frequently asked questions
Do I legally need a company secretary for my UK limited company?
No. Section 270(1) of the Companies Act 2006 removed the requirement for private companies on
6 April 2008. Public limited companies must still appoint one. Check your articles of association,
which can impose the requirement even where the Act does not.
What happens if nobody is appointed as company secretary?
The duties do not disappear. Under section 270(3)(b), they fall to a director or to a person
the directors authorise. The company remains fully liable for late or incorrect filings.
How often must a confirmation statement be filed?
At least once every 12 months. It is due within 14 days of the end of the review period, which
runs from incorporation or from the date of your last confirmation statement.
What is the difference between a company secretary and an accountant?
An accountant deals with your financial reporting and tax. A company secretary deals with your
legal existence at Companies House — who owns the company, who runs it, where it is registered and
what it has formally decided. Many firms, including ours, provide both.
Can company secretarial services be outsourced?
Yes, and it is common. An external provider maintains your statutory registers, files with
Companies House on your behalf and keeps your filing calendar. The directors remain legally
responsible, so choose a provider who confirms acceptance of each filing.
Do I still need to verify my identity if I have been a director for years?
Yes. Existing directors and PSCs were given a twelve-month transitional period after identity
verification became mandatory on 18 November 2025. That period closes in November 2026.
Request a quote or get in touch to discuss which filings and registers you need covered.
