SmartSearch Acquires Credas, Accelerating UK Growth in Digital KYC & AML Compliance

SmartSearch has agreed to acquire Credas Technologies Ltd, a leading provider of identity verification solutions for the legal and property sectors. This strategic acquisition, subject to regulatory approval, enhances SmartSearch’s position as one of the UK’s foremost digital Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance platforms.

By integrating Credas’ respected brand and specialist technology, SmartSearch expands its product offering and market reach, delivering even greater flexibility and value to clients across regulated industries. The combined expertise will drive innovation, enhance customer experience, and support continued growth in a market facing increasing regulatory scrutiny.

Credas currently supports over 1,000 legal and property clients, streamlining onboarding and improving customer journeys. This acquisition enhances SmartSearch’s industry presence, serving more than 7,500 clients today and builds on a record of 31% year-on-year growth since 2013. The move follows significant private equity investment from Triple Private Equity in 2024, fuelling SmartSearch’s ambitious expansion plans.

Phil Cotter, CEO, SmartSearch, comments: “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.”

Ben Shepherd, Head of Value Creation & Founding Partner of Triple Private Equity and Chairman of SmartSearch, comments: “The acquisition of Credas reflects SmartSearch’s continued upward trajectory in the market for digital compliance solutions. In 2024, Triple was impressed by the organisation’s consistent growth and customer-centric approach, together with its high-quality technology platform. Today’s news confirms that our confidence was well founded; we have no doubt that SmartSearch, with the addition of Credas will continue to trailblaze in this fast-moving market.”