Tim Moss
Chief Executive of Companies House
What were your biggest policy and delivery challenges in 2013? How did you handle them?
2013 has been a busy year for Companies House: we’ve carried out a Strategic Review of our role, function and structures, and are now developing our five-year plan. The focus on corporate transparency has highlighted the importance of the register of companies, leading to the prime minister’s announcement of a public register of ‘Beneficial Owners’ to be held at Companies House. The transparency debate has also covered finding a balance between making it easy to file information, and ensuring that information is accurate and up to date.
In terms of delivery, we have made a significant contribution to the open data agenda, with increasing usage of our free mobile application, the free URI for every company, and our recently-launched free accounts data product. We have also driven forward the digital by default agenda, with nearly 80% of all information sent in digitally.
Where have you made the most progress in implementing the Civil Service Reform Plan, and what are your priorities for 2014?
I have been particularly pleased with the progress we have made in developing our staff capabilities and engagement (with another increase this year in the recent survey), and encouraging innovation within the organisation. Our efforts throughout the year are delivering real results for the customer through new products, improved access and service levels.
Going forward, the provision of innovative services remains high on our agenda, and will continue to be a focus for 2014, when we will make significant improvements to the way customers register and find company information. These changes will also take us further on our digital by default and open data journeys. Our staff will be vital in implementing these changes, and we will continue to engage with them to ensure their knowledge and understanding is reflected in the way we provide services for customers.
What are your challenges in the last full year of the Parliament, and how will you tackle them?
Our absolute focus on the customer will continue through the last year of the Parliament. Our aim is to maximise the amount of information on the register that is made freely available, to continue improving services and to make significant progress on becoming a digital by default organisation. We will take forward the Beneficial Ownership register, working across government to balance improved corporate transparency with a business environment that encourages growth and innovation. We will also work with BIS to take forward a broad ranging set of changes to company filing requirements, reducing burdens on business as part of the Red Tape Challenge.
What would you most like Santa to bring you this year? And what would you like him to take away?
With my father-in-law home from hospital and an increase in staff engagement just announced, that’s two off my list, so (as an Englishman living in Wales) it would have to be England winning the six nations. As for taking away, it would always be good if some of the processes and controls in place could be streamlined.