Personnel Checks announces acquisition of Know Your Candidate

Personnel Checks Ltd, a specialist UK background screening provider and flagship brand of PC Group, has announced the acquisition of Manchester-based screening firm Know Your Candidate Ltd (KYC).

The acquisition marks a significant milestone in Personnel Checks' long-term growth strategy. The business remains independently owned and self-funded — a deliberate choice that underpins how it invests and operates. The move is designed to strengthen its position in the SME screening market and expand its national footprint.

Founded more than 16 years ago, KYC has built a strong reputation for delivering streamlined and accessible background screening services to small and medium-sized businesses. The company was established and led by industry veterans with extensive experience across the background screening sector.

Both businesses serve a similar customer base, with a focus on practical, technology-enabled screening solutions for SMEs. Following the acquisition, KYC customers will benefit from access to Personnel Checks' wider range of services, including enhanced pre-employment and continuous screening capability delivered through its proprietary platform, which provides real-time check status visibility and a centralised compliance dashboard for employers.

The move also expands Personnel Checks' operational presence, adding a Manchester base to its existing footprint and further strengthening its reach across the UK.

The deal comes at a time of growing demand for background screening services, with compliance expectations among UK employers continuing to rise and regulatory requirements across sectors, particularly in healthcare, education and transport, becoming increasingly stringent.

Commenting on the acquisition, Jack Mellor, CEO of Personnel Checks, said:

"This is a really exciting and pivotal moment in the history of Personnel Checks. Over the past few years, we've focused heavily on building our own technology, and that investment has been rewarded with 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 obvious that 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 excited to welcome the KYC team and their customers into the business. It's a great fit, and a strong foundation for what comes next."

Barry Hetherington, founder of Know Your Candidate, said:

"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 the same principles around customer service and clarity. Their approach to transparent pricing and accessible support closely mirrors what we've always stood for at KYC. I'm confident this is the right decision for our customers and the longevity of the service."

The acquisition will be followed by a 12-week transition period, during which Barry and Lindsay will support the handover. After this period, the remaining KYC team members will work closely with Personnel Checks to ensure continuity of service for customers. No redundancies are planned as a result of the acquisition, and Personnel Checks expects the expanded operational base to support further growth and hiring in the coming year.

About Personnel Checks

Personnel Checks is a UK-based background screening provider, offering a wide range of pre-employment and continuous screening services to organisations across the country. The company focuses on technology-driven solutions designed to simplify compliance and improve recruitment outcomes, particularly for SMEs and regulated sectors.

About Know Your Candidate

Know Your Candidate is a Manchester-based background screening business founded over 16 years ago. The company has built a strong reputation for delivering straightforward, accessible screening services to small and medium-sized employers across the UK.