The Companies House Information Project System

Companies House handles some 5.5 million pieces of paper each year, which represent the records of some 1.4 million limited companies in the UK. Each year 200,000 new companies are registered, whilst others fall by the wayside. Companies House operates on a break-even basis, with its current operating budget around £40 million per annum. In response to the forthcoming Company Law Review, Companies House is preparing a programme of managed change that will allow them to handle the data they collect more coherently. The major deliverables expected from the change programme are a new information management system, a new organisation based around that system, and new services to offer as a result of greater control of the data they hold. The plan is to replace the legacy mainframe that houses and maintains all the records with a much more interactive, intelligent data management solution, which also features internet-accessibility. As the new technical solution comes into place, so the role of Companies House staff will change too – from conventional administration to a much more pro-active use of the data they manage. Preparing an effective change strategy is a key first step in this journey of change, and Accenture consultants are already teaming up with the communications people at Companies House to pave the way for the acceptance of the change strategy. Phase One: Devise and agree a strategy for change Phase Two: Design a technical solution Phase Three: Procure the solution Phase Four: Deliver and install Phase Five: Migration to the new system The different phases will call for very different skill-sets, and that’s why the breadth and depth of Accenture’s is invaluable. Together, Companies House and Accenture are on course to produce one of the first really practical institutions of eGovernment for the 21st century.