Louise Smyth CBE, Chief Executive of Companies House and Registrar of Companies for England and Wales will be stepping down from her role as president of the Corporate Registers Forum (CRF) after a 4 year tenure.

The CRF’s most recent event in Malta, which took place from 25 to 27 March 2025, marks Louise’s last appearance as president ahead of her retirement in summer 2025.

The CRF is a leading international association of business registries from more than 60 nations across the world. Members meet regularly to share ideas, examples of best practice and benchmark performance.

Over Louise’s tenure as CRF president, the association has seen considerable transformation under her leadership. Notably, the publication of the 2023 constitution enshrined gender and regional diversity in CRF board membership. This constitution created specific board seats for registries in Africa and Middle East, the Americas, Europe, and Asia and the Pacific, to ensure the globe is equitably represented.

Louise Smyth said:

It has been a privilege serving two terms as the elected president of the Corporate Registers Forum (CRF). I am extremely proud of the work that has been done over the past few years to promote the diversification and professionalisation of the CRF.

As well as helping to continually drive international standards, I look forward to seeing the continued progress the association makes in supporting global business growth as my tenure reaches its close and a new chapter begins.

At the hybrid meeting of the CRF’s global working group on beneficial ownership in Malta, Louise announced an innovation for the CRF, widening its membership base beyond corporate registries for the very first time. The new class of ‘associate membership’ will allow noncommercial bodies including international financial institutions to join the association. This will make sure the conversation between members is broader and more transparent in the global fight against financial crime.

Geraldine Spiteri Lucus, Registrar of the Malta Business Registry, said:

Louise Smyth fostered an environment of open dialogue, inspiring proactive engagement and a strong commitment to international collaboration.

Her dedication ensured productive and insightful conferences, where diverse perspectives were valued and impactful discussions thrived.

Datuk Nor Azimah Abdul Aziz, Chief Executive Officer of the Companies Commission of Malaysia, said:

Louise leaves behind an indelible mark on the CRF.

Through her leadership and dedication, she has advanced initiatives and strengthened collaboration in corporate registries through numerous working groups, inspiring the overall CRF community.