// UK > Director Appointment
Appoint a UK-Resident Director to Your Company
Under the Companies Act 2006, every UK company must have at least one natural person as a director. From bank account opening to VAT registration, from HMRC correspondence to e-commerce platform compliance — a resident director is the key to making your UK company operational.
Enter the UK Market with Confidence from Abroad
A nominee director service is a critical piece of infrastructure for international entrepreneurs entering the UK market. UK law doesn't require a director to be resident in the United Kingdom — but in practice, banks, marketplaces, HMRC and financial institutions prefer or require a resident director presence. At Mi Casa Europa, we manage the appointment end to end, so your UK company has the active, credible commercial substance it needs.
Who This Service Is For
E-Commerce Founders
Founders selling — or planning to sell — on UK marketplaces like Amazon UK, eBay UK and TikTok Shop. A resident director is needed for VAT registration thresholds and business banking.
International Investors
Business owners in consulting, technology and import-export who use a UK company as a base for European and global trade.
Existing UK Company Owners
Owners of an existing UK company who need a director change or an additional director — a fast, low-friction transition.
Why You Need a Resident Director
Substance and Operational Assurance
You can run your UK company remotely, but UK banks and HMRC want to see a local point of contact. The resident director becomes a formal employee of the company and takes responsibility for legal compliance.
VAT Threshold Access
Companies without a resident director may not benefit from the £90,000 VAT registration threshold — a critical cost advantage for e-commerce businesses.
Business Bank Account Opening
UK banks — HSBC, Barclays, NatWest and others — typically prefer or require a resident director when opening a business account.
Local Representation
A local point of contact for HMRC correspondence, postal communications and urgent legal matters in the UK.
E-Commerce Platforms
Platforms like Amazon UK and TikTok Shop require a UK resident director in certain seller categories.
Professional Credibility
A resident director gives your UK company credibility with business partners and customers.
Payroll Compliance
The director is added to the company's PAYE payroll, with regular salary reporting to HMRC — this keeps the company in active status.
The Director Appointment Process
A step-by-step process — typically completed within 3–5 business days when documents are ready.
Pre-Assessment
STARTING POINTClient due diligence, identity verification and anti-money-laundering (AML) checks. We review the company structure and confirm the right type of director appointment for the case.
Identity Verification (IDV)
MANDATORY STEPCompanies House identity verification — completed via GOV.UK One Login, an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), or in person at a Post Office. The director receives a personal code that's required for the appointment filing.
Board Resolution
OFFICIAL STAGEA formal board resolution approving the director appointment, prepared in line with the company's existing governance structure.
Document Preparation
LEGALDrafting of the Nominee Director Agreement and Power of Attorney — the legal framework that protects the beneficial owner's rights throughout the appointment.
Companies House Filing
CRITICAL STEPThe director appointment is filed with Companies House on form AP01. The legal deadline: notification must be made within 14 days of the appointment.
PSC Register Filing
LEGAL REQUIREMENTIf the beneficial owner holds 25% or more of shares, they're recorded as a Person with Significant Control (PSC) on form PSC01. This applies even where a nominee director has been appointed — the beneficial owner must still be registered.
Company Register Update
COMPLETIONThe company's Register of Directors is updated. The director is added to the PAYE payroll and salary reporting to HMRC begins.
Identity Verification (IDV) Requirement
New Rules from November 2025
Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, from November 2025 every newly appointed director must complete identity verification at Companies House before the appointment can be filed. Without verification, the AP01 form is not accepted. Existing directors must complete the same process by November 2026. Mi Casa Europa's UK accounting partner is an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) — we provide full support throughout the identity verification process.
Your UK Director Appointment Expert
Enis Behar MendaAppointing a director to your UK company is more than a legal filing. It needs the right director profile — reliable, legally compliant — alongside the right contractual framework and a company that's ready to operate. I bring over 25 years of management consulting and international business development experience across Turkey, the UK and Spain.
As the founder of Mi Casa Europa, I've planned and managed the UK structure for 100+ individuals, start-ups and corporate businesses end to end. That experience lets me offer a single-point, reliable solution — covering director appointment, bank account opening, HMRC registration and VAT advisory in one place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Appoint a Trusted Director to Your Company?
Plan your director appointment, business bank account opening and compliance steps with Enis Behar Menda. Book a free 15-minute discovery call to get started.