How to Resign as a Director of a Company: Your Essential Guide

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resign as director of limited company

Being a director certainly has its perks. But not every element of a director’s life is perfect. So you may decide to resign as director. Unlike leaving traditional employment — which is a fairly simple process — resignation as a director has much more significant implications and attached responsibilities.

This won’t come as a surprise to anyone who wants to resign as a director. Already being in the position, you’ll be fully aware of the administrative requirements and red tape that comes hand-in-hand with your registered managerial role. Directors are inherently part of a business because of various levels of legal entanglement. After all, a director is potentially the single most crucial role within a company. Because that company is in itself a registered legal entity, it will never be so simple as packing your desk and stepping out the door.

Conversely, that does not mean it is impossible to resign as a director. Many business leaders step down all the time; t is not an uncommon situation. So you can resign as a director if you want to — you just have to follow the correct process.

Resigning as a Director: What to Do First

You’ll need to notify your company of your departure, as it has to start the process of taking on a new director if there is not already an officer in place. Our experts at Mint Formations can help support this process and ensure you appoint a new limited company director properly. We suggest you inform your business in writing, so there is a formal document to reference your resignation — although the law does not require this. We also recommend you tell other members of staff and even clients and customers if you believe your resignation as a director is going to impact them.

Again, this is not a legally mandated step, but we advise you to complete the process to ensure a smooth departure from your organisation. As a director, you’ve likely laid a lot of roots and become quite entrenched within your company. So supporting those around you during the transition is essential to securing a stable future for the business.

How to Resign as a Director of  Limited Company

As you might imagine, there is a legal process involved in resigning the position of director. What you’ll need to do is file a TM01 form with Companies House. You can submit the form online or do so by printing out the required documentation and mailing it.

It is vital to note that a TM01 form should be submitted on behalf of a company —not on behalf of the individual resigning. Consider this act more like the removal of the person, rather than the person leaving. If you submit the form on your own behalf, it may be rejected. The idea behind this stipulation is it must be the company’s choice for a director to resign — to protect the business and its shareholders.

The ship must always have a captain.

If you would like help ensuring your resignation as director follows a smooth and legal process, then our director resignation service can support your goals. Our experts will guide you through all aspects of resigning as director, including submission of paperwork and compliance with regulations.

My Company Is in Debt, Will I Owe Money if I Resign?

As director of a business, you may be at the top of the managerial chain, the place where the buck stops in terms of decision-making, but you are not financially liable for your company.

Directors are protected from any debts incurred by a limited company, as your business is a separate legal entity. You are not personally responsible for the obligations of a company. So even if you leave the company in debt, you as the owner do not have to pay anything.

Can I Resign as a Director and Remain an Employee?

It is possible to resign as a director and remain an employee of the business. Director is a position within the company, but it is not your status of employment. Resignation of your position as a director does not mean you resign from the company, only from holding the title and responsibilities of a director.

As such, following your step down from the role of director, you may continue to take a salary and work for the business. You may have to sign a new employee contract. Some directors don’t take on contracts initially, instead using evidence of work and pay as an unwritten contract. If you would like to resign from the business, as well as the position of director, you will have to follow the terms of employee resignation — But only if you have a contract of employment.

Resigning as a director does mean though, that you lose all of your legal powers of influence. By becoming an employee, you cannot affect certain matters within the company. This does not, of course, mean that current directors of the business cannot take advantage of your advice and experience. But they are not legally obliged to follow your instruction as they would have been previously.

Are you ready to resign as a director? Get in touch with our team of specialists today, and we’ll help you manage the process from day one.

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Raj co-founded Mint Formations with business partner Andy Tree in 2017. Mint formations is established to nurture small UK businesses and enable exciting new opportunities for quick growth. As a successful entrepreneur, Raj knows how to start and run a business. He currently resides as a board member of seven successful companies across the world. He is best known for founding Integra Global Solutions, specialists in robotics, automation, and business process optimisation.