Its new strategy commits the agency to broadening its remit, taking “robust” action against criminals who defraud businesses and taxpayers, and using AI and advanced analytics to combat financial wrongdoing.

The agency will also step up efforts to tackle money laundering through hiring experts in cryptoassets, seizing more criminal proceeds of crime, and continuing to expand its intelligence functions.

Specialist investigators will continue to investigate Covid-19 Bounce Back Loan abuse, with the government announcing earlier this year that viable existing casework would be transferred to the Insolvency Service from the National Investigation Service (NATIS).

In 2024-25, the Insolvency Service secured 77 criminal convictions, over 1,000 director disqualifications, and more than £4 million in compensation. Forty-one companies were also wound-up in the public interest following investigations by the agency.

Matt Ray, director of economic crime implementation at the Insolvency Service, said: “Fraud is now the most common crime affecting businesses and individuals across the UK. Meanwhile criminal and corrupt actors continue to use UK corporate structures at huge scale to obscure their activities and launder the proceeds. 

“Alongside our ongoing role upholding the UK’s insolvency framework we will adopt a much more central role in the fight against economic crime and work with Companies House and other partners to tackle the mass misuse of our corporate framework – helping us deliver economic confidence.

“Over the course of the strategy, our investigators will protect more consumers than ever before from rogue companies, target directors who fail to meet the high standards of behaviour we expect from them and lead the fight against fraudsters who have exploited government schemes designed to help small businesses.

“By acting against those who are unfit to run companies, we are reducing the harm caused to legitimate businesses and creditors and creating a prosperous environment that supports economic growth.”

Martin Swain, director of intelligence and law enforcement engagement at Companies House, said: “Collaboration with key partners such as the Insolvency Service, in helping us improve compliance and prevent misuse of the Companies House register, is central to our enforcement approach.

“We already work closely with these partners in tackling misuse and – as we are now demonstrating – delivering real-world impacts in the fight against economic crime.

“I’m delighted that moving forward these links will be strengthened further.”