Growth in Access & Value
- In its first year, the service received around 1.3 billion searches.
- By 2023–24, that number had soared to over 16.5 billion interactions annually.
- Independent research estimates its economic impact at between £1 billion and £3 billion per year.
These figures illustrate how open access has underpinned vital economic sectors—credit, investment, research—and supported the due diligence activities of companies and consumers alike.
Who Benefits?
The open register now serves a wide range of users:
- Businesses, creditors, and investors rely on accurate and timely data to make informed decisions.
- Journalists and civil society leverage the data to expose corruption and hold organisations to account.
- Government, regulators, and law enforcement use it to help fight fraud, money laundering, and economic crime.
The Voices Behind the Numbers
“In 2015 we broke new ground… Ten years later that bold decision has led to Companies House supporting 16 billion searches a year… our data being valued by industry at £1 billion to £3 billion annually.”
“For 10 years, the online platform at Companies House has delivered world‑leading corporate transparency… contributed to countless investigations into corruption and financial crime.”
Why This Matters for You
- Startup founders can check names, filings, and company health instantly.
- Service providers—like accountants or credit reference agencies—access authoritative, cost-free data.
- Media and researchers rely on it for transparency and investigative work.
What’s Next: Higher Data Integrity
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 introduced key reforms designed to enhance the authenticity and completeness of the register:
- Phased identity verification—targeting individuals submitting data.
- Greater data‑sharing powers with law enforcement and the private sector.
- Efforts to tighten up reporting on Persons of Significant Control (PSCs) and overseas entities.
This means the public register will become even more robust—and even more beneficial—to businesses and wider society.
Takeaway: Why Open Data Still Matters
- Transparency: When company information is accessible, fraud becomes harder to hide.
- Economic opportunity: Easy access removes barriers to growth and innovation.
- Public trust: Citizens, media and regulators can rely on open, verifiable data.
At O’Brien Media, we champion data transparency and effective digital tools. Open registries like this one help level the business playing field—and keep the UK economy thriving.