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25th Annual Employee Vetting and Screening Conference

London Conference

Ensuring a safer workplace and protecting your organisation.

Date/Time: Wednesday 1st October, 09:30 - 17:00

Location: The Danubius Hotel Regents Park, London (NW8)

Early bird rate: £316 +VAT (20% off the standard £395 +VAT rate).
This offer is for a limited time only.

Stay ahead of global employment screening trends and regulatory compliance requirements

With recruitment budgets under intense scrutiny and hiring costs rising across international markets, HR professionals worldwide need comprehensive employee vetting strategies that are both legally compliant and cost-effective. Pre-employment screening fraud is escalating globally, costing organisations billions annually while damaging employer brands and operational integrity.

This premier international screening conference delivers cutting-edge best practices for HR leaders, compliance officers, and recruitment professionals responsible for background check processes across multiple jurisdictions. You'll master the essentials of building robust vetting programmes that prevent recruitment fraud, protect organisational reputation, reduce employee turnover, and optimise hiring investments.

Key learning outcomes for international delegates:

  • Digital screening transformation strategies and AI implementation
  • Multi-jurisdictional compliance frameworks for global operations
  • Privacy and security balance in candidate data handling
  • Fraud prevention techniques and risk assessment methodologies
  • Vendor selection criteria for international screening partners
  • Industry accreditation standards and quality benchmarks

Join delegates from the UK, EU, and US at this essential employee screening event designed for today's complex, interconnected recruitment landscape.

HR Director: “The conference was insightful and well-organised. All the speakers were experts in their fields, and I feel more confident to review our vetting processes. It’s a must-attend event for anyone in HR"

Compliance Officer: “The sessions on legal requirements and best practices were particularly valuable.

Head of HR: "The networking opportunities were fantastic, and the content was relevant and actionable." 

Recruitment Manager: “The Pre-Employment Screening and Vetting Conference provided us with the tools and knowledge to enhance our hiring processes. The focus on legal compliance and security was especially beneficial. Looking forward to the next one"

Register today and ensure your vetting and screening is compliant, robust and effective.

Which functions will benefit from attending

  • HR, Security, Recruitment, Legal & Compliance, Directors & Managers responsible for Immigration & Right to Work Checks, Vetting & Screening, Administration & Operations

Hear from

Schedule

Registration and welcome coffee

Chair's opening remarks

Elizabeth Smith

Elizabeth Smith

Director of Research
Business Forums International Ltd. (BFI)

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Business Forums International Ltd. (BFI) logo

Elizabeth Smith

Director of Research , Business Forums International Ltd. (BFI)

Elizabeth is director of research and a founding co-director at Business Forums International. She is responsible for all programme content and writing, and researches current areas of interest for senior HR professionals in large organisations. BFI is the UK’s leading HR risk specialist conference and training provider, delivering key and timely information to over 3,000 delegates a year both through public and in-house training courses. Before founding BFI in 1996, Elizabeth specialised in researching corporate financial programmes in Asia and the Middle East, based in Dubai. She also worked in advertising and publishing in the Middle East and London. Elizabeth was educated in the West Indies, Saudi Arabia and Belgium before reading Modern Languages at Durham University. She is currently developing an online training course for line managers to raise awareness of menopause symptoms and ways that employers can work to make their workplaces more inclusive.

Keith Rosser

Keith Rosser

Director
REED

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REED logo

Keith Rosser

Director , REED

Keith is a labour market expert with over 20 years’ experience. He runs Reed Screening an employment vetting business he founded in 2012 for Reed, the British family-owned recruitment business where he is also CQC responsible individual.

Welcome and introduction to the day, aims and objectives and rules of engagement

Keynote: Legal and policy context for vetting and screening

Caroline Smith

Caroline Smith

VP Deputy General Counsel, International
HireRight Ltd

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HireRight Ltd logo

Caroline Smith

VP Deputy General Counsel, International , HireRight Ltd

Caroline Smith has been with the HireRight group for over 10 years and is Deputy General Counsel for HireRight’s International business (EMEA/APAC region). Caroline assists in the negotiation of contracts across the region and leads the International business compliance function advising on a range of issues including data protection and regulatory updates. Caroline is a UK qualified lawyer with over 18 years’ experience and prior to joining HireRight, she was with Herbert Smith LLP and Clyde & Co LLP working on a range of complex international corporate, corporate insolvency and commercial matters. Caroline earned her Master of Arts degree at the University of Saint Andrews and went on to study law at the College of Law in York earning the GDL and LPC postgraduate qualifications.

  • A deep dive into the latest legal requirements for pre-employment screening in the UK, including GDPR, the new Employment Rights Bill and the AI Act
  • Government's role in employment regulations
  • Industry-specific compliance requirements
  • Importance of vetting for national security and economic stability
  • Future policies and support for organisations

Case study: Vetting and screening in the care sector: challenges and responses

Kadijia Mahabeer

Kadijia Mahabeer

Head of HR
Nightingale Hospital

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Nightingale Hospital logo

Kadijia Mahabeer

Head of HR , Nightingale Hospital

Kadijia Mahabeer is a seasoned HR leader with extensive experience in employee experience, people performance, and strategic HR transformation. With a strong track record of driving impactful HR initiatives, Kadijia has successfully led talent management, employee engagement, and organisational development programs that align people strategies with business objectives.

  • Hiring risks and red flags in the care sector: ensuring safe environments for staff and patients
  • Case studies of vetting failures and their consequences
  • Best practices for comprehensive background checks in the care industry
  • Tools and techniques for effective risk assessment to maximise safety and compliance

Morning break and networking

Panel discussion: Best practices to prevent fraud during your vetting process

Keith Rosser

Keith Rosser

Director
REED

View Bio
REED logo

Keith Rosser

Director , REED

Keith is a labour market expert with over 20 years’ experience. He runs Reed Screening an employment vetting business he founded in 2012 for Reed, the British family-owned recruitment business where he is also CQC responsible individual.

  • Fraudscape Report and implications for UK employers
  • Auditing your vetting process to identify vulnerable and weak spots that could be exploited
  • What are the current trends? Referencing houses to dual employment: tell-tale signs your organisation may be at risk
  • Organised crime, modern slavery and other consequences 
  • Key questions and red flags to be aware of
  • Consequences of AI
  • Best practices for implementing identity verification processes

Panel discussion: Balancing privacy and security

Anneka Sheikh

Anneka Sheikh

Senior Screening & Vetting Advisor
Baringa

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Baringa logo

Anneka Sheikh

Senior Screening & Vetting Advisor , Baringa

Anneka is a distinguished professional in the field of screening and vetting, with over a decade of experience in managing comprehensive background check processes for high-profile clients and organisations.

  • Perspectives from industry experts on privacy and security
  • Discussion on privacy laws and their impact on screening
  • Effective security measures to protect candidate data
  • Social media checks: the legal framework
  • Ethical issues in balancing privacy and security

Case study: Digitising the screening process

Kev Sambor

Kev Sambor

Head of Vetting & Onboarding
Serco Group Plc

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Serco Group Plc logo

Kev Sambor

Head of Vetting & Onboarding , Serco Group Plc

Kevin Sambor leads Vetting and Onboarding at Serco Ltd, overseeing the delivery of background and security checks across six key sectors—Defence, Justice and Immigration, Healthcare, Leisure, Corporate, and Citizen Services. As the policy and process owner, he ensures compliance with national security standards while championing a people-first approach to onboarding.

  • Balancing risk versus cost: essential questions to consider
  • Challenges encountered and how they were overcome
  • Outcomes and benefits of a digitised screening strategy
  • Minimising screening timelines - quantifying the process
  • Key takeaways and lessons learned

Tech Clinic: Implementing AI in screening processes

Daniel Harrison

Daniel Harrison

Artificial Intelligence & Generative AI Strategy
Amazon Web Service

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Amazon Web Service logo

Daniel Harrison

Artificial Intelligence & Generative AI Strategy , Amazon Web Service

Daniel is driven by cultivating strong relationships with everyone he comes across and learning from them. He adamantly believes that education, a willingness to learn, hard work, and an open mind are the key to both personal and professional growth. His energetic personality, keen listening & strategy skills, and knack for technology are the traits that he continues to promote and grow as he pursues his passions of global business, strategy and equality.

This interactive session will show delegates how to implement responsible AI in the vetting process. Examining the legal framework, essential policy considerations and advice on strategy and ownership, the aim is to give attendees a thorough understanding of how to use AI for vetting and screening. The session kicks off with a look at the benefits and applications of AI, followed by advice on where it can go wrong, and how to ensure you're using it compliantly.

All questions and quandaries, however basic, are invited live, ensuring you leave today with a plan for successfully implementing and integrating AI into your processes, and some examples of successful use of the technology.

Lunch and networking

Choosing the right screening partner to optimise candidate experience

Matt Tuckey

Matt Tuckey

Sales and Marketing Director
Due Diligence Checking

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Due Diligence Checking logo

Matt Tuckey

Sales and Marketing Director , Due Diligence Checking

  • Choosing the right partner to ensure a seamless and compliant screening process
  • Key areas to focus on and questions to ask so your needs are understood and met
  • Making informed decisions and avoiding potential pitfalls: critical questions about experience, compliance, and data security
  • Creating a positive candidate experience: ensuring transparent and effective communication, continuous feedback
  • How a positive screening process can strengthen your employer brand, attracting top talent and foster a positive reputation
  • Examples of successful partnerships
  • Tips for negotiating contracts with vendors

Case study: Vetting and screening for the police

Raj Johal

Raj Johal

Director of Vetting
Metropolitan Police

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Metropolitan Police logo

Raj Johal

Director of Vetting , Metropolitan Police

Raj is the director for Referencing and Vetting at the Metropolitan Police, where he is responsible for delivery of vetting, disclosure, and police national computer (PNC) services.

  • Undertaking a journey of reform: key principles to inform a roadmap
  • Understanding and creating vetting strategies for specific layers of clearance
  • Integrating with the recruitment process and HR function: challenges and opportunities
  • Embedding vetting into the culture: ongoing vetting to ensure integrity
  • Lessons learned from other countries

Panel discussion: Vetting thoughts and initiatives from the EU

Afternoon break and networking

Overcoming common screening challenges

Jagriti Patwari

Jagriti Patwari

Director
Eurocom C.I.

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Eurocom C.I. logo

Jagriti Patwari

Director , Eurocom C.I.

Jagriti graduated from University College London in 2004 and qualified as a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Adviser in 2008. In 2009, she founded Maroon Accounts — a practice built not only on compliance excellence but also on pragmatic, growth focused business advice. After twelve successful years at its helm, Jagriti sold Maroon Accounts in 2021 to pursue her next entrepreneurial venture.

  • Inadequate preparation and planning: developing a comprehensive vetting policy
  • Obtaining proper consent to avoid potential legal challenges
  • Ensuring information accuracy through reliable data verification processes
  • Meeting regulatory demands and compliance with current and upcoming industry regulations
  • Reducing time-to-hire through efficient screening tools: what’s coming down the pipeline?

Accreditation Initiatives for the Screening Industry: Implications for Employers

Will Hoggarth

Will Hoggarth

CEO at Chexperts & Chair Elect
PBSA Europe

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PBSA Europe logo

Will Hoggarth

CEO at Chexperts & Chair Elect , PBSA Europe

Co-Founder of Chexperts and Chair Elect PBSA Europe

Susie Thomson

Susie Thomson

COO at Matrix Security Watchdog & Secretary/Treasurer
PBSA Europe

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PBSA Europe logo

Susie Thomson

COO at Matrix Security Watchdog & Secretary/Treasurer , PBSA Europe

Susie is a co-founder of Security Watchdog when it was formed in 1998 with her father and brother. Supported by a dynamic leadership team, she is today responsible for managing the largest employment screening organisation in Europe with over 250 employees.

  • Who the PBSA is and our mission to advance excellence in the screening profession.
  • An introduction to the PBSA Accreditation Program — what it involves and why it’s a valuable benchmark of excellence.
  • Practical advice for attendees on what to ask screening providers
    - Questions to assess quality, compliance, and transparency
    - What to look for when choosing a responsible screening partner

Effective vetting strategies for non-UK employees: Ensuring your checks are robust and compliant

Ian Westwood

Ian Westwood

Immigration Consultant
The Westwood Organisation

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The Westwood Organisation logo

Ian Westwood

Immigration Consultant , The Westwood Organisation

Ian Westwood worked at the Home Office from 1993-2003. He was an operational Immigration Officer serving at Heathrow, Gatwick and Dover before being promoted to Chief Immigration Officer based in Croydon. Since then he has set up his own consultancy business, providing training and immigration advice to a variety of corporate and private clients on the subject of Immigration. He is regulated by the Office of the Immigration Service Commissioner to provide immigration advice in the UK. Ian’s training credentials include the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development’s Certificate of Training Practice and the Belbin Team-Role Accreditation.

  • Immigration status: who can work for you? Points Based System and visa updates
  • Right to Work checks: policy and practice
  • Checking identity documents: an overview of security features and counterfeit examples to ensure you're confident to check to Home Office requirements

Sponsored networking reception and farewell drinks

We invite you to connect with peers and discuss the day's insights over drinks and light refreshments.

End of conference

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