List of Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs)

This register identifies businesses and sole traders authorised to provide corporate services, including identity verification and filing support, under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. For financial services executives, this list is a critical due diligence tool. Compliance teams should integrate it into third-party risk management and AML/KYC processes to confirm that any corporate service provider, company formation agent, or outsourced company secretarial function used is properly authorised.

The register also signals a tightening of the UK's corporate transparency regime, reducing the risk of shell companies and nominee arrangements. Firms relying on unregistered agents may face filings being rejected or increased scrutiny from Companies House and supervisors. Actionable steps: 1) Verify current and prospective corporate service providers against the ACSP list before onboarding or renewing contracts.

2) Update policies to require ACSP status where relevant, especially for identity verification and Companies House filings. 3) Monitor the list for updates, as registrations can change. 4) Consider becoming an ACSP if your firm offers corporate services, to maintain market access and demonstrate compliance.

5) Use the list as part of broader sanctions and financial crime checks. The list itself does not impose new direct obligations on banks or investment firms, but it enhances the toolkit for managing counterparty and supply chain risk. Opportunities exist for RegTech providers to offer ACSP verification and monitoring solutions, and for authorised agents to differentiate themselves as trusted partners.

Overall impact is informational, but proactive use can strengthen compliance frameworks and reduce regulatory exposure.