What PeopleCheck does

PeopleCheck Limited is a UK-headquartered (Richmond, London) background screening provider founded in 2003, operating as a registered umbrella body with the UK Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) and serving organizations making remote and onsite hires. The company runs an in-house-built, cloud-based, API-first platform that consolidates pre-employment and contractor checks including UK Right to Work, Digital ID verification, DBS Basic/Standard/Enhanced disclosures, employment and professional reference verification, global sanctions and PEP screening, UK financial checks (CCJs, insolvencies, bankruptcies), education and qualification verification, international background checks, CIFAS fraud markers, FCA register checks, and adverse media/social media screening. The platform features proprietary tooling including CheckBuilder for custom check configuration, Advanced Candidate Analytics drawing on over 200 data points, and AI-powered screening for knowledge retrieval and anomaly detection; it integrates with certified Identity Service Providers Yoti and Post Office for digital identity and Right to Work workflows.

The company generates revenue on a per-check transaction model with no setup fees and no minimum volume requirement, spanning tiered bundled products (such as the £97-per-check Entry Level Background Check), component checks (DBS from £32, Adverse Social Media at £50), and customized enterprise packages delivered through dedicated account managers. Distribution is mixed: a self-serve platform with same-day setup targets mid-market, while enterprise field sales with account management plus public API integration target enterprise clients embedding screening into HR systems. PeopleCheck maintains compliance and industry credentials including ISO 9001, FSQS, PBSA/NAPBS/IAPBS membership, CIFAS partnership, ICO registration, Cyber Essentials, and GDPR compliance.

The company serves five primary verticals — technology and startups (primary), regulated sectors (financial services, healthcare, government), professional services, TV productions and media, and recruitment and staffing — with named enterprise customers including Wirex, UnitingPeople, and Wiley Edge (a 7+ year relationship). PeopleCheck operates as a privately-held limited company with 11-50 employees, founder-CEO David Hutchinson (who sits on the PBSA Global Board of Directors), and no disclosed external funding.

Name

PeopleCheck

Legal name

PeopleCheck Limited

Website

https://peoplecheck.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

PeopleCheck is a UK-based background screening provider founded in 2003, offering an in-house-built, API-first platform for pre-employment checks (DBS, Right to Work, identity, employment, sanctions, financial, education) serving technology, regulated, professional services, TV/media, and recruitment clients via per-check transaction pricing with no minimums.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Background Screening Services

NAICS

Investigation and Personal Background Check Services (561611)

SIC

Finance Services (6199)

akta.pro primary industry

Identity Verification & Digital ID (IDV, eIDAS, biometrics) (FSAGAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Customer Identity (KYC/CDD/EDD) & Onboarding (FSAMAMAA)

Keywords

• Background screening services
• Pre-employment background checks
• DBS criminal record checks
• Right to work verification
• Identity verification services

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Background Screening Services: Per-check pricing model for various background check types including DBS checks, identity verification, employment verification, sanctions screening, and custom packages. No setup fees or minimum volume requirements.
2. Custom Screening Packages: Flexible screening packages built to suit specific role requirements, risk profiles, and geographic needs. Pricing varies based on scope and complexity of checks selected.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

PeopleCheck is a UK-based background screening provider that delivers pre-employment and contractor background checks for organisations hiring remote and onsite staff. Its offerings span UK criminal record checks (DBS), digital Right to Work verification, identity validation, employment history, education and qualification checks, global sanctions/PEP screening, UK financial checks (CCJs, insolvencies, bankruptcies), CIFAS fraud checks, FCA register, adverse media and social media screening, and international checks. Services are delivered through an in-house cloud platform with API access, supported by dedicated account managers.

Product overview

PeopleCheck is a leading background check provider offering a unified platform for pre-employment and contractor background screening. The core PeopleCheck Platform provides the infrastructure for conducting comprehensive checks, while individual services are delivered as discrete products or bundled packages. The product portfolio includes: Entry Level Background Check (comprehensive onboarding package), UK Criminal Checks (DBS), Adverse Social Media Check, UK Right to Work Check, Identity Verification (via Yoti), Professional History Check, Global Sanctions Check, UK Financial Check, Education and Professional Qualifications Check, International Checks, CIFAS Check, Regulated References and FCA Register Check, and Adverse Press and Web Footprint Analysis. Customised Checks allow clients to build bespoke packages using CheckBuilder. The platform integrates with certified Identity Service Providers (Yoti, Post Office) and offers API access for programmatic integration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PeopleCheck Platform Cloud-based, secure background check platform providing advanced candidate analytics, live reporting, document library access, and intuitive dashboard for organisations to verify candidate identity, employment history, qualifications, and run compliance checks.
• Entry Level Background Check Comprehensive onboarding package combining Digital ID Validation, UK Right to Work, 5-year Address History, Basic DBS check, UK Financial Check (CCJs, Insolvencies, Bankruptcies), Global Sanctions including PEPs and Adverse Lists, and 2 Employment Verifications, priced at £97 per check plus VAT.
• UK Criminal Checks (DBS) Disclosure and Barring Service checks including Basic, Standard, and Enhanced DBS checks, plus Disclosures Scotland and AccessNI checks, priced from £32 plus VAT.
• Adverse Social Media Check Red flag search protecting brand reputation through social media and web footprint analysis to assess issues of concern or conflict, priced at £50 per check plus VAT.
• UK Right to Work Check Home Office compliant Right to Work verification available as digital checks through certified Identity Service Providers (Yoti and Post Office), giving employers a statutory excuse and eliminating the need to check original documents.
• Identity Verification Digital Identity services delivered by Yoti, a certified Identity Service Provider, enabling identity verification integrated into the PeopleCheck platform for seamless onboarding.
• Professional History Check Professional history verification delivered through a professionally conducted screening process, covering employment verifications and reference checks.
• Global Sanctions Check Comprehensive sanctions screening covering Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) and thousands of Adverse Lists for global compliance requirements.
• UK Financial Check UK financial verification covering County Court Judgement Orders (CCJs), insolvencies, and bankruptcies to assess candidate financial stability.
• Education and Professional Qualifications Check Verification of education and professional qualifications through swift UK validations and global reach, ensuring credential authenticity.
• International Checks Global background verification with in-depth knowledge of country-specific data laws, supporting international hiring and compliance across jurisdictions.
• CIFAS Check CIFAS fraud prevention checks through long-term registered partnership, helping identify potential fraud indicators in candidates.
• Regulated References and FCA Register Check Specialised reference verification and FCA Register checks for candidates working within regulated sectors such as financial services.
• Adverse Press and Web Footprint Analysis Flexible and customisable adverse media screening based on sector-specific requirements, analysing press coverage and online presence.
• Customised Checks Flexible screening packages built to suit specific role requirements, risk profiles, and geographic needs, with same-day setup, no minimum volume requirements, and dedicated account managers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3x faster candidate onboarding compared to industry standard
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• YoticoreTechnology or IntegrationPeopleCheck partners with Yoti for Digital Identity services. Yoti is a certified Identity Service Provider (IDSP) providing digital UK Right to Work and Digital ID verification. The service is seamlessly integrated into the PeopleCheck online tracking platform.
• Post OfficecoreTechnology or IntegrationPeopleCheck partners with Post Office, the UK's first Certified Identity Service Provider (IDSP), for providing digital right to work and identity verification services. The Post Office IDSP service acts on behalf of employers who become 'relying parties' in the transaction.
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)coreTechnology or IntegrationPeopleCheck is a registered umbrella body with the UK Disclosure & Barring Service, authorized to conduct Basic, Standard and Enhanced DBS checks on behalf of employers.
• CIFAScoreTechnology or IntegrationLong-term registered CIFAS partner providing access to fraud prevention databases and adverse data checks.
• Call Credit/TransUnioncoreTechnology or IntegrationCredit reference agency partner for UK financial checks including County Court Judgements, insolvencies, and bankruptcies.
• LexisNexiscoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner for verification of criminal convictions, court judgments, and insolvency notices as part of comprehensive background screening.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Sterling: Established background screening and identity services provider serving enterprise and regulated-sector clients globally. Comparable in target customer base (regulated employers) and broad product coverage.
• Checkr: US-headquartered technology-led background check platform offering automated screening, APIs, and integrations with HR/ATS systems. Closely comparable in API-first, developer-friendly positioning and modern AI-driven screening approach.
• HireRight: Global background screening leader offering employment, criminal, financial, and drug screening across multiple jurisdictions. Directly comparable service portfolio to PeopleCheck but at much larger scale and with broader geographic coverage.
• First Advantage: Global screening provider offering employment background checks, identity verification, and compliance services across geographies. Closely comparable to PeopleCheck's comprehensive screening portfolio.

Others

• Yoti: Digital identity and certified Identity Service Provider that is a strategic integration partner of PeopleCheck for Digital Right to Work and Digital ID checks. Comparable in identity verification capability but operates as platform/partner rather than competing screening provider.
• Xref:

Direct peers

• uCheck: UK-based DBS umbrella body and background screening provider offering similar core products (DBS checks, Right to Work, identity verification) to UK employers and regulated sectors. Closest UK-headquartered direct competitor.
• Veremark: Background screening platform focused on continuous, automated checks with API-first architecture. Most direct technology-led comparable to PeopleCheck's platform, particularly around international and ongoing screening.
• Onfido: Identity verification and digital ID provider overlapping with PeopleCheck's Digital Right to Work and identity verification offerings via Yoti/Post Office integrations. Both serve regulated employer onboarding workflows.
• Vero Screening: UK-based screening provider offering DBS checks, employment screening, and Right to Work verification. Directly comparable UK SME competitor serving similar customer segments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/peoplecheck-limited

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PeopleCheck