SmartSearch has announced an agreement to acquire Credas Technologies Ltd, a well-established provider of identity verification solutions tailored for the legal and property sectors.
Subject to regulatory approval, this strategic acquisition significantly bolsters SmartSearch’s standing as one of the UK’s premier digital Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance platforms.
The integration of Credas’ respected brand and specialist technology will expand SmartSearch’s product portfolio and market reach, delivering enhanced flexibility and value to clients across regulated industries. This combined expertise is expected to accelerate innovation, improve customer experience, and support ongoing growth amid an increasingly complex regulatory landscape.
Credas currently serves over 1,000 clients in the legal and property sectors, streamlining onboarding processes and improving customer journeys. The acquisition complements SmartSearch’s existing base of more than 7,500 clients and builds on its impressive 31% year-on-year growth since 2013. This move follows a significant private equity investment from Triple Private Equity in 2024, underpinning SmartSearch’s ambitious expansion strategy.
Phil Cotter, CEO, SmartSearch, commented: “Regulated firms are under pressure to meet rising KYC and AML demands while delivering seamless onboarding. By joining forces with Credas, we combine our strengths to deliver unmatched innovation and service. Our clients will see immediate benefits as we continue to set the standard for digital compliance.”
Tim Barnett, CEO, Credas, added: “With financial crime on the rise and fraud tactics evolving, digital identity verification is more critical than ever. Partnering with SmartSearch empowers us to help even more businesses protect themselves and focus on delivering quality service.”
