1st Choice Incorporations

06/11/2026

Which part of running a company do you find easiest to put off?

For most directors, it isn't the big decisions. It's the small, recurring tasks that sit on the to-do list until a deadline arrives.

A few that are easy to overlook:

📅 Confirmation statement – due every year, even if nothing about the company has changed.

🏠 Address changes – moving home or office can mean updating your Companies House records, not just your bank.

📝 Officer and shareholder changes – appointments, resignations and share transfers all need to be reported.

🧾 Receipts and records – little and often is far easier than a scramble at year end.

A simple fix: put every recurring company deadline into one calendar, with a reminder set a month ahead.

So, be honest. Which one is on your list right now? 👇

04/11/2026

Becoming a director for the first time? These five mistakes are easier to avoid before you register than to fix afterwards.

Incorporating a company is exciting, and it's natural to focus on the name and the launch. But a few early decisions shape how smoothly things run later.

📋 Overlooking director responsibilities – filing duties stay with the directors, even if someone else submits on your behalf.

🏗️ Choosing the wrong structure – changing it later is possible, but usually costs more time and money.

🤝 Skipping a shareholder agreement – agreeing the rules early helps protect relationships if circumstances change.

📜 Using articles that don't fit – model articles are compliant, but they may not suit every company's plans.

🏠 Registering at your home address – your registered office and service address appear on the public register.

Our guide explains each one and how to avoid it:
https://1stchoiceincorporations.com/blog/common-mistakes-first-time-directors/

If you've set up a company before, which of these would you warn a first-time founder about?

Discover common mistakes for first time directors when incorporating a company and learn what to consider before getting started.

02/11/2026

Have you checked your Companies House identity verification due date?

The 12-month transition period for existing directors and people with significant control (PSCs) began on 18 November 2025 and ends this month. If you haven't verified yet, now is a good time to check where you stand.

What to check this week:

🔍 Your due date – search your company on the Companies House register to see the verification date for each of your roles.

🪪 Your photo ID – verification relies on photo ID such as a passport or photocard driving licence, so check yours is in date.

🔑 Your personal code – once verified, you'll receive a Companies House personal code. Keep it safe, as you'll need it for future filings.

👥 Everyone on the register – every director and PSC needs to verify, not just the person who usually handles the admin.

You can verify for free through GOV.UK One Login, or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).

As a registered ACSP, we can help if you'd prefer support:
https://1stchoiceincorporations.com/services/companies-house-id-verification/

Have all the directors and PSCs in your company verified yet?

30/10/2026

💳 Still paying business expenses from your personal account?

It is one of the most common habits among new business owners, and one of the hardest to break later.

Keeping business and personal money separate helps you:

📊 See your true profit: know how the business is really performing.
🧾 Make bookkeeping simpler: no more sorting personal transactions at year end.
🛡️ Protect limited liability: a limited company's money is legally separate from yours.
🤝 Look professional: clients and suppliers take a dedicated business account more seriously.

A separate account is a small step that brings clarity, confidence and fewer headaches at tax time.

💬 Did you open a business bank account straight away, or wait until later?

28/10/2026

💷 Are you budgeting for the new Companies House fees?

Companies House fees went up on 1 February 2026. If you are forming a company or filing this year, the costs may be higher than you remember.

Some of the key changes:

🏢 Online incorporation: up from £50 to £100.
⚡ Same-day incorporation: up from £78 to £156.
📋 Confirmation Statement (online): up from £34 to £50.
🤝 CIC incorporation (online): up from £65 to £115.
🌍 Overseas entities: some fees went down, including the annual update statement (£234 to £134).

Knowing the fees in advance helps you plan and avoid surprises at filing time.

See the full fee breakdown: https://bit.ly/4qhAnKU

💬 Did the new fees change your plans for forming or running a company?

26/10/2026

🌍 Live outside the UK? You can still set up a UK limited company.

You do not need to be a UK resident to form a company here. Many international founders choose the UK for its credibility, simple structure and access to UK and global markets.

What you will need:

🏢 A UK registered office address: every UK company must have one.
🪪 Identity verification: directors and PSCs must verify their identity with Companies House.
📄 Correct director and shareholder details: accurate information from day one.
🏦 A banking plan: opening a UK business bank account from abroad takes planning.

Our International packages are designed for non-UK based directors, with the essentials included.

💬 Which country are you looking to expand into the UK from?

23/10/2026

💷 Profit is good. Cash flow keeps you going.

Many profitable businesses still struggle because the money does not come in when it is needed.

Simple habits that can help:

📅 Invoice promptly: send invoices as soon as the work is done.
⏰ Set clear payment terms: agree them before you start the work.
🔔 Follow up on late payments: a polite reminder often works.
📈 Plan ahead: prepare for VAT, Corporation Tax and quieter months.

Good cash flow planning is not about big spreadsheets. It is about knowing what is coming in and going out.

💬 What is your biggest cash flow challenge: late payers, seasonal dips or unexpected costs?

21/10/2026

📢 Companies House has changed. Are you keeping up?

The last year brought some of the biggest changes to UK company law in decades. Many business owners are still unsure what they need to do.

Key changes to know:

🪪 Identity verification: now required for directors and PSCs, with over 3.7 million appointments already verified.
💷 New fees: Companies House has increased fees for the second time in two years.
📝 Officer occupations: these can no longer be updated on the public register.
📂 Fewer internal registers: some statutory registers are no longer required, but you must still report changes within 14 days.

More reforms are planned, including greater transparency and wider identity checks.

Catch up on the full update: https://bit.ly/4yJAYd7

💬 Which change has affected your business the most so far?

19/10/2026

🔄 Was your company struck off? It may not be the end.

Companies can be removed from the register for missed filings, unanswered letters or an early dissolution. Sometimes the company still has assets, contracts or unfinished business.

Restoration may be possible if you need to:

💷 Recover assets: bank balances and property can pass to the Crown when a company is dissolved.
📑 Bring filings up to date: catch up on overdue accounts and statements.
🤝 Keep trading: continue working under the same company name and number.
⚖️ Settle unfinished matters: deal with contracts, claims or legal proceedings.

The sooner you act, the easier restoration usually is.

💬 Did you know a dissolved company could be brought back to the register?

16/10/2026

🍂 The last quarter of the year is here. Is your business ready?

October is a good time to review your year before the busy festive season begins.

Use the next few weeks to:

📑 Check your filing deadlines: accounts, Confirmation Statements and tax returns.
🧾 Tidy up your records: it is easier now than in January.
💡 Review what worked: which services, clients or ideas grew your business this year?
🎯 Set goals for next year: have one or two clear priorities rather than a long list.

A little planning now can make the new year a lot less stressful.

💬 What is one business goal you want to achieve before the end of the year?