Choosing and appointing a company's first directors

All must have at least one . There are a few basic rules about who can be a that you need to know when you are choosing. When you have decided who your (s) will be, you can find out how to appoint your first here. As soon as your first are appointed (the day your is ), you are legally required keep two registers – a which is public, and a which is not.

Who can be a director

  1. 1.Who can be a director of my company?
  2. 2.How many directors does my company need?
  3. 3.Can another company be a director of my company?
  4. 4.Can someone be a director of more than one company?
  5. 5.Does a director of a UK company have to live in the UK?
  6. 6.Does a director of a UK company have to be a UK citizen?
  7. 7.Does a director need to have qualifications?
  8. 8.Does a director also need to own shares in my company?
  9. 9.Will a director automatically become an employee of my company?

How to appoint a company's first directors

  1. 10.How do I appoint my company's first directors?
  2. 11.How do I appoint additional directors or remove existing ones?

Filing and record keeping for directors

  1. 12.What records of my company directors do I need to keep?
  2. 13.What documents do I have to file at Companies House if an additional director is appointed?
  3. 14.What documents do I need to file at Companies House if a director resigns or is replaced?

Letter of appointment for a director

Use this Director’s letter of appointment to appoint a director to your board who is not an employee. Such a director is also referred to as a non-executive director. Using a formal letter of appointment helps to protect your company’s confidential information, intellectual property, and more. It clarifies the rights and responsibilities of the director and sets out the director’s obligations to the company. This Director’s letter of appointment also gives you flexibility to terminate the directorship and/or deal with the director’s resignation if they are not cooperating. By using this Director’s letter of appointment, you ensure that the new director and the company are clear about the terms and conditions of their appointment and what their responsibilities and obligations are. This letter also helps to show the relationship is not an employment relationship, which can prevent costly disputes or legal claims against your company in the future.
£25 + VAT

Step-by-step guide to AP02 form (hard-copy)

This is a guide to completing the paper AP02 form, which you will need to file at Companies House if you appoint another company as a new director of your company. This is known as a corporate director. The paper AP02 form should be used if your company is not registered for WebFiling. The AP02 form should be filed within 14 days of the date of the corporate director's appointment, to confirm their company details. Note however, the usual 14 day deadline has been extended to 42 days during the COVID-19 pandemic. Failing to file the AP02 form can potentially attract a fine and constitute an offence by both the company and any officers who are at fault. If the director you are appointing is an individual, rather than another company, you should file the AP01 form rather than the AP02. For further guidance on the process to follow when your company is appointing a new director, see our detailed Q&A on Appointment of new directors .
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