Keep SMCR Simple; Automate Your Background Checks

Background checks are an essential part of complying with the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR), so we are delighted to announce that we are now partnered with Zinc.

Zinc is an all-in-one background and reference-checking solution that can take the guess work out of compliance. Running standard DBS checks or collecting regulatory references can be time consuming for teams, who often handle several aspects of recruitment and onboarding. Zinc ensures a smooth and timely process whilst freeing up your team to focus on other key objectives.

SMCR requires firms to run a standard DBS check and regulatory reference check on all senior managers and employees in a certified function. These checks are mandatory for SMCR compliance but there are further background checks that you can run alongside to mitigate risk. Zinc can support financial, media, identity and fraud checks, as well as many others.

These aren’t currently mandatory checks but Zinc’s Head of Legal, Hamraj Gulamali says “The FCA is always tinkering with SMCR and have made a lot of noise about widening the scope, they’ve focussed a lot on social media checks this year and most of our customers run a wider array of checks on top of what is required”. Zinc makes the process efficient and ensures the highest standards as certified by the UK government’s IDVT Trust Framework. 

SMCR and background checks go hand in hand, which is why we have partnered with Zinc to offer a 10% partner discount*. Our SMCR Solutions Manager, James Miller says, “It is great to be partnering up with Zinc. What they offer is pivotal to the hiring and onboarding of Senior Managers and certified employees in the financial space. Being a SaaS solution means they have a more streamlined, compliant and efficient way of carrying out all the relevant background checks specific to SMCR, so PeopleClear working with them makes so much sense and is something we are looking forward to doing.” 

Compliance can seem complex, but it doesn’t have to be, the PeopleClear team is always on hand to help make compliance simple. Get in touch now to find out how we can support you.

* T&Cs apply: 10% off committed contracts over £6K.