November News | 2025
DS Business Support Wins Excellence Award – Plus Key Updates on ID Verification and Companies House Reforms
We’re proud to share some exciting news. DS Business Support has been awarded an Excellence Award for our outstanding commitment to client service and the quality of our work. This recognition reflects the dedication of our team and the trust our clients place in us every day. We’re honoured to be celebrated for going the extra mile to support businesses across the UK with reliable, proactive, and personalised financial services.
In addition to this win, we’re also delighted to announce our nomination for the Circular Economy Award at The Good Small Business Awards 2025, recognising our digital first approach and commitment to sustainable business practices. From paperless workflows to cloud-based accounting platforms, we continue to invest in smarter, greener ways to serve our clients.
Business AOBs:
🔐 ID Verification – why it matters more than ever
As part of our onboarding process, all clients are required to complete a digital ID verification and onboarding form. This is a mandatory step to ensure compliance with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations and to protect both your business and ours. A huge thanks to all our clients who have submitted their forms/IDs - it’s very much appreciated!
We understand that forms and links can sometimes get missed, but due to rising software costs, each ID verification link we send incurs a fee. Therefore, if a link needs to be resent, a £5 surcharge (inclusive of VAT) will be invoiced to cover the additional cost.
To keep things moving smoothly, clients who have not yet completed their ID verification will begin receiving chaser emails and follow-up calls. We kindly ask that you prioritise this step to avoid delays in service and ensure compliance with industry standards.
🏛️ Companies House Reforms – what you need to know
As part of the UK government's drive to improve corporate transparency and reduce economic crime, Companies House is introducing major changes to its verification process. These reforms will affect all UK companies and are expected to come into force from 18 November 2025.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s changing:
Identity verification will become mandatory for all company directors, people with significant control (PSCs), and those filing on behalf of companies.
New directors and PSCs will need to verify their identity before incorporation or appointment.
Existing directors and PSCs must complete verification when submitting their next confirmation statement or other filings.
Verification will be carried out through a secure digital process, and failure to comply may result in penalties or restrictions on filing.
These changes are part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, which aims to strengthen the integrity of the UK company register and prevent misuse of corporate structures. Companies House will also gain enhanced powers to query and reject information, and there will be stricter controls on registered office addresses and company names.
At DS Business Support, we’re closely monitoring these developments and will continue to guide our clients through the transition. If you’re unsure whether you’re affected or need help preparing, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
If you'd prefer us to handle the verification for you, we’re happy to assist. The fee is £50 + VAT per person. Although we do recommend clients complete this themselves where possible, as it’s a relatively straightforward process.
💬 Final Thoughts
We’re incredibly proud of the recognition we’ve received this year, and we remain committed to delivering the highest standards of service. As we move into a more digital and regulated era, we’re here to help you stay compliant, efficient, and confident in your financial operations.
If you haven’t yet completed your ID verification or want to learn more about the Companies House reforms, please reach out today. Let’s keep building something excellent, together.