Personnel Checks buys KYC to boost SME screening reach

Personnel Checks has acquired Manchester screening firm Know Your Candidate in a six-figure deal that adds around 2,000 SME clients and expands its operational presence in the North West.

Blackburn-based Personnel Checks provides background screening services for employers across the UK. Know Your Candidate, often referred to as KYC, offers similar services to small and medium-sized businesses and has operated from Manchester for more than 16 years.

The deal gives Personnel Checks a second base and expands its reach as employers face increasing scrutiny around hiring practices. Demand for vetting has risen in sectors such as healthcare, education and transport.

SME focus

Both businesses mainly serve SME employers, including organisations in regulated industries. Personnel Checks expects KYC customers to gain access to a broader range of screening services through its platform.

Services include Standard and Enhanced DBS checks and DVLA licence checks. DBS checks are widely used by UK employers recruiting for roles involving children or vulnerable adults. DVLA licence checks are common in sectors where employees drive as part of their work.

Personnel Checks uses a proprietary technology platform that provides employers with real-time visibility of check progress and a centralised compliance dashboard.

Business scale

Founded more than 20 years ago, Personnel Checks processes more than 150,000 DBS checks each year. It has grown by more than 300% over the past five years and employs more than 40 people across the UK.

KYC was established and led by executives with experience in the background screening sector. The companies said it has built a client base among SMEs that want screening services presented in a straightforward way.

The acquisition also reflects a wider pattern in the UK screening market, as providers invest in technology and broaden service ranges in response to evolving compliance requirements. Employers in regulated sectors often need consistent processes across different forms of screening and face audit and reporting expectations from regulators and customers.

Integration plan

Personnel Checks plans to operate KYC as a standalone brand for the foreseeable future, introducing any service changes gradually. A 12-week transition period will follow the acquisition, with KYC's leadership team supporting the handover.

The transition will focus on continuity of service for existing customers. Personnel Checks also said it does not plan redundancies as a result of the acquisition.

The deal is the first acquisition for Personnel Checks. Management described it as part of a longer-term approach that combines investment in its own technology with targeted purchases. The business remains independently owned, family-run and self-funded.

Jack Mellor, CEO of Personnel Checks, said the acquisition follows several years of investment in product development and platform work.

"This is a really exciting and pivotal moment in the history of Personnel Checks. Over the past few years, we've invested heavily in building our own screening technology platform, and that investment has driven strong year-on-year growth. "As we looked at how to maintain that momentum, it became clear that a growth-by-acquisition strategy would be the right next step. When we began speaking with the team at KYC, it was clear we were closely aligned, not just in terms of the customers we serve, but also in our approach and values. "This is our first acquisition, and I'm incredibly pleased to welcome the KYC team and their customers into the business. It's a strong strategic fit and a great foundation for what comes next."

Barry Hetherington, founder of Know Your Candidate, said he wanted the service to remain straightforward for SMEs and described the deal as a continuation of that approach under new ownership.

"When I started Know Your Candidate, I wanted to create a screening service that worked properly for SMEs: straightforward, transparent and without unnecessary complexity. Over the years, that's exactly what we've built. "Choosing the right home for the next chapter was incredibly important to me. Personnel Checks share those same principles around customer service and clarity. Its commitment to transparent pricing and accessible support mirrors what we've always stood for at KYC. I'm confident this is the right decision for our customers and for the long-term future of the service."

Personnel Checks said the expanded Manchester base is expected to support further hiring as the company continues to grow.