Business Name Change - Banks & Companies House

[Holiday Artist]

Has anyone had success with changing a business name on Companies House? It is an easy process?

When I started over 2 years ago, I was super niche, and chose a name to fit that niche, but over the past two years things have evolved. Officially as a Ltd Company I still have my original name, but I've been trading under my new name for the past year. It would be good to have my Bank Account name match this. Even though it's quite rare a customer will pay me directly.

 

[fisicx]

New name means a new company. You then dissolve the old company.

 

[DWS]

New name means a new company. You then dissolve the old company.

Why??
Nothing to stop a Company changing its name and continuing to trade the same as before!

 

[fisicx]

Seems I was wrong. You can do it online for £20:

Change a company name (NM01)

Use this form to give notice of an unconditional change of name by resolution.

www.gov.uk

Getting the bank to make the change however might not be quite so easy.

 

[anonuk]

We've done it (and about to do it again actually with the same company) and it's quite straightforward. You can apply online to Companies House for the name change, it's usually accepted within minutes and then you get a 'Certificate Of Incorporation On Change Of Name'. Once you have this, you then apply to your bank to change the ltd company name. Some banks such as Lloyds require you to fill out a paper form and post it to them but check with your bank.

Once you've changed the name with Companies House, your company listing on their website will show 'Previous Company Names' with the dates that name applied.

 

[Holiday Artist]

We've done it (and about to do it again actually with the same company) and it's quite straightforward. You can apply online to Companies House for the name change, it's usually accepted within minutes and then you get a 'Certificate Of Incorporation On Change Of Name'. Once you have this, you then apply to your bank to change the ltd company name. Some banks such as Lloyds require you to fill out a paper form and post it to them but check with your bank.

Once you've changed the name with Companies House, your company listing on their website will show 'Previous Company Names' with the dates that name applied.

Awesome. Thank you!

 

[AABBCC_CCBBAA]

Has anyone had success with changing a business name on Companies House? It is an easy process?

When I started over 2 years ago, I was super niche, and chose a name to fit that niche, but over the past two years things have evolved. Officially as a Ltd Company I still have my original name, but I've been trading under my new name for the past year. It would be good to have my Bank Account name match this. Even though it's quite rare a customer will pay me directly.

I chose a name too to match what we were doing. 25 years on and I stuck with it. If it's an internet business then be wary of what's already out there on the internet using your old company name. We are called WatchBattery but sell all manner of watch parts now, mainly Casio. People get to know the name, links are made in forums and reviews are made using the company name. I was reluctant to lose that.
AJ

 

[DontAsk]

You can keep the old domain and redirect to the new. one so that links are not lost.

 

[fisicx]

You can keep the old domain and redirect to the new. one so that links are not lost.

But they can have far less value. And of course there is the trust issue: I click on a link expecting to land on ABC but you send me to XYZ.

 

[Holiday Artist]

I chose a name too to match what we were doing. 25 years on and I stuck with it. If it's an internet business then be wary of what's already out there on the internet using your old company name. We are called WatchBattery but sell all manner of watch parts now, mainly Casio. People get to know the name, links are made in forums and reviews are made using the company name. I was reluctant to lose that.
AJ

Yeah, I get this. Thankfully I'm still fairly early on. Although my original site does well with organic traffic and I am reluctant to let it go, my heart has been in my new brand for the past 2 years. It's too mentally draining to try run both.

 

[fisicx]

Yeah, I get this. Thankfully I'm still fairly early on. Although my original site does well with organic traffic and I am reluctant to let it go, my heart has been in my new brand for the past 2 years. It's too mentally draining to try run both.

Keep the original company and just use a trading name for your new brand.

 

[AmazonGeek]

I have changed both a company name and bank account associated with it without any problems. Changing the company name is quick and can be done online with Companies House. Once that has been done you change the bank account name to match. I would contact the bank before you do anything and let them know what you are planning, just to make sure they are ok with it.

 

[Holiday Artist]

Have just filed for the name change. Thanks for all the advice and guidance guys. Muchos Apreciados