UK Government Unveils Sweeping Reforms to Corporate Transparency Regulations

The United Kingdom’s government has unveiled a fresh set of reforms touching on some of the country’s key regulatory and security frameworks, including those impacting investors and corporations.

From expanding transparency around company practices to modernising areas that intersect with business, privacy and public trust, this comprehensive package seeks to revolutionise the UK’s business environment as we know it. Let’s take a look at what’s changing, what’s staying the same and how it impacts landlords, property investors and company owners.

Delays in Overseas Entities’ Historical Ownership Disclosure

Companies House has pushed back the deadline for overseas entities on its register to provide detailed ownership information covering the period before their registration. This delay means the government will not immediately require disclosure of changes to beneficial owners from February 2022 through early 2023.

When implemented, the requirement will also cover changes related to trusts connected with these overseas entities. No new date has been announced for this obligation to come into effect, leaving companies and trusts watching for updates.

Protecting Personal Information on Companies House

Privacy around personal details in public registers is receiving a boost. New regulations extend protections for individuals listed on the public register maintained by Companies House. Until now, directors and certain company officers could apply to keep their residential addresses hidden from public view and credit reference agencies.

The expanded rules allow a wider range of people to request suppression of not only their residential address but also their signature, business occupation and the day of their birth. No reason needs to be provided for these requests. This development also broadens protection to those connected with limited liability partnerships and, potentially, limited partnerships.

Exceptions remain for addresses that double as a company’s registered office or feature in a company’s name. These safeguards came into effect in July 2025 and reflect an ongoing push to balance transparency with personal safety and privacy.

Expanding Trust Registration to Cover More UK Landholders

Trusts owning UK land are subject to registration rules under the Trust Registration Service (TRS), administered by HMRC. Currently, non-UK trusts that acquired UK real estate after October 2020 must register, but those owning land before this date are generally exempt unless they become taxable in the UK.

The government plans to close this gap by requiring all non-UK trusts holding UK land to register, making ownership more transparent. Some information, presently private, will become publicly accessible under a “legitimate interest” test. This step is aligned with efforts to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.

At the same time, a “de minimis” exemption will exclude small-value trusts from registration, though this will not apply retrospectively. Trusts already registered must maintain their status.

Bringing Supplier Payment Practices Into Annual Reports

Large companies face new transparency requirements regarding their payment behaviour towards suppliers. Draft legislation published this year proposes that these firms include information on invoice payment times in their annual reports.

This move echoes commitments made in the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, aiming to encourage fair and timely payments across supply chains. The regulations would require companies to disclose metrics such as average days taken to pay invoices and proportions of invoices paid within specified timeframes (under 30 days, 31 to 60 days and over 60 days).

However, the annual reporting requirement will be a partial reflection of the existing Payment Practices Reporting Regime, which mandates a more detailed biannual disclosure via a government portal. Information about payment dispute processes or supply chain finance arrangements will not be part of the annual report.

This change adds a new layer of public accountability, helping stakeholders track companies’ payment reliability, an issue closely linked to supplier financial health and broader economic stability.

Shoring Up National Security Through Investment Controls

The UK’s National Security and Investment (NSI) regime, introduced in the 2021 Act, allows the government to scrutinise and intervene in certain business acquisitions if national security risks arise. Recently, the government outlined plans to update this regime with changes that target efficiency and focus.

Currently, specific “sensitive sectors” like defence and advanced materials require mandatory notification before an acquisition can proceed. The new reforms seek to clarify and reorganise these sectors, adding categories such as semiconductors, critical minerals and a new entry covering the water sector. This shift stems from a 12-week public consultation that runs until mid-October 2025.

Alongside these sectoral tweaks, the government proposes removing the notification requirement for some internal company reorganisations and liquidator appointments, although the exact scope is yet to be defined.

The annual NSI report for 2024/2025 sheds light on how the regime is working in practice. Defence, Military and Dual-Use, and Advanced Materials sectors generated the highest number of government interventions, signalling where scrutiny remains sharpest.

Interestingly, buyers linked to the UK, China and the USA accounted for the majority of investigations. The timeline from notification to final decision can stretch up to 107 working days for complex cases, a factor that companies must incorporate into their deal planning.

Other Regulatory Updates

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is enhancing its monitoring of position reporting through data and technology, reinforcing enforcement under the UK Market Abuse Regulation. Meanwhile, the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has launched consultations and studies aimed at improving accounting standards and audit challenges, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Conclusion: Govt Keen on Modernising Corporate Transparency Regulations

Taken together, these reforms reflect a government keen to refine regulatory frameworks that underpin national security, corporate transparency, and personal privacy. Businesses should prepare for evolving reporting demands and extended scrutiny on ownership and transactions that touch sensitive sectors or critical infrastructure.

Individuals connected to companies now benefit from stronger privacy protections while trust owners face wider registration duties.