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Alternate company directors

Key points:

  • A company director can appoint someone to take their place for a period of time. We call this person an alternate director. The person who appoints them is the appointing director.
  • The alternate director may have some or all the powers and duties of the appointing director.
  • To appoint an alternate director, you must keep written records and notify us.
  • You must also tell us if their details change, and when they end the role.

When to appoint an alternate director

As a company director, you may be unable to carry out your role for a period of time. You can appoint an alternate director to act in your place.

You can appoint an alternate director for:

  • a set period
  • no set period, until you return to your duties.

Powers and duties of alternate directors

An alternate director can be given some or all of the powers as the appointing director. They can also have the same obligations as the appointing director.

Learn about the obligations of company officeholders.

Your company constitution may also have rules about alternate company directors.

Appointing an alternate director

Changes to the appointment

If the details of the arrangement change, the company must notify us within 28 days.

For example, the company must tell us of changes to:

  • the name or address of the alternate director
  • the proposed end date of the appointment.

Do this online via the Company officeholder portal.

Removing an alternate director

You must remove an alternate director in writing. Your company must keep a copy for its records.

Your company must always have at least one director. You cannot remove an alternate director if they are the only director remaining.

If you remove the appointing director, this does not remove the alternate director - they remain unless you remove them too.