26th Annual Employee Vetting & Screening Conference

Vetting in the Age of AI: Innovation, Integrity & Trust

With AI‑driven tools, digital identity programmes and new regulatory requirements reshaping the vetting landscape, staying ahead has never been more essential. This flagship one‑day conference gives you the practical intelligence and strategic insight needed to build compliant, resilient and future‑ready screening frameworks.

You'll get up-to-speed on the latest legal and policy developments, understand the impact of the Employment Rights Act 2025 and emerging AI regulation, and learn how digital identity and automated verification will transform screening over the next 12–24 months.

• Gain clarity on AI‑enhanced vetting, algorithmic transparency and GDPR compliance.

• See live demonstrations of cutting‑edge screening technologies and fraud‑detection innovations.

• Learn how leading organisations are redesigning vetting processes for speed, accuracy and integrity.

• Hear sector‑specific case studies across financial services, healthcare, policing and high‑risk industries.

• Network with senior HR, security, legal and compliance professionals from major UK employers.

Register today to ensure your vetting and screening processes remain robust, ethical and aligned with the next era of digital verification and AI‑enabled workforce security.

Please note: We offer dedicated rates for both End Users (£350) and Suppliers (£595). The End User rate is displayed by default. If you are a vendor or solution provider, simply tick the "Supplier" checkbox during the checkout process to automatically apply the correct rate to your booking.

09:00 - 09:30 REGISTRATION & NETWORKING

Coffee, pastries and networking opportunity

09:30 - 09:35     CHAIRS WELCOME & OPENING REMARKS

09:35 - 10:20     OPENING KEYNOTE - HIRERIGHT

• UK Digital Identity Programme update and timeline
• Government's vision for secure digital verification
• How digital ID will transform employment screening
• Employer readiness: What you need to know now
• Speaker: Caroline Smith, Deputy General Counsel, HireRight

10:20 - 11:00     PANEL DISCUSSION - Navigating the New Legal Landscape: ERA 2025, AI Regulation & Digital Identity

• Employment Rights Act 2025: Six-month unfair dismissal and enhanced protections
• AI discrimination legislation: US state models and UK implications
• EU Digital Identity Wallet: What UK employers need to know
• Ban-the-box and fair chance hiring trends
• Social media screening: Where are the legal boundaries?
• 30 minutes presentation + 15 minutes audience Q&A

11:05 - 11:35      NETWORKING BREAK

Refreshments and exhibition viewing

11:30 - 12:15      CASE STUDY: REAL-WORLD VETTING TRANSFORMATION

• The business case for change: identifying gaps and building stakeholder buy-in
• International screening challenges: navigating different jurisdictions and requirements
• Changing the culture: overcoming resistance and embedding new ways of working
• Technology and process improvements: what worked and what didn't
• Lessons learned and advice for others on the same journey

12:15 - 13:00       TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE: AI in Action - Live Demonstrations from Cutting-Edge Providers

• Three rapid-fire demonstrations (12 minutes each) + Q&A
• Live demonstrations:
• AI-enhanced fraud detection in real-time
• Automated verification using digital credentials
• Reducing screening time from days to hours
• Bias mitigation tools and algorithmic transparency

13:00 - 14:00       LUNCH & EXHIBITION VIEWING

Networking lunch with exhibitors

14:00 - 14:45       INTERACTIVE PANEL ON SOCIAL MEDIA SCREENING: ETHICS, LEGALITY & BEST PRACTICE

• Case study analysis: Real scenarios of social media findings
• Group discussion: Where's the ethical and legal line?
• Practical framework for developing social media screening policies
• GDPR compliance and consent requirements
• What to do with concerning findings: Process and documentation

14:45 - 15:10      DUAL CASE STUDIES VETTING IN HIGH-STAKES SECTORS

CASE STUDY 1: HEALTHCARE/CARE SECTOR

• Re-screening requirements in healthcare: Credential verification and DBS renewal
• Lessons from vetting failures: Patient safety implications
• Balancing speed with thoroughness in emergency hiring
• Contractor and agency worker screening challenges

15:10 - 15:35      DUAL CASE STUDIES VETTING IN HIGH-STAKES SECTORS

CASE STUDY 2: FINANCIAL SERVICES/FINTECH

• Financial services background checks: Regulatory requirements and best practice
• Ongoing monitoring for financial crime risks
• International screening challenges: Navigating regional laws and privacy standards
• Cryptocurrency and fintech: New screening considerations

15:35 - 16:00       NETWORKING BREAK

Refreshments and Vendor Innovation Speed Dating

During the afternoon refreshment break, exhibiting suppliers will have the opportunity to deliver rapid-fire 5-minute demonstrations at designated "Innovation Stations" positioned around the networking area. Delegates can visit multiple stations during the 30-minute break, allowing them to experience cutting-edge screening technologies, ask quick questions, and collect materials without committing to lengthy sales presentations. Each supplier rotates their demonstration every 5 minutes to fresh groups of delegates, maximising exposure whilst keeping presentations dynamic, focused, and highly engaging.

16:00 - 16:45       EXPERT PANEL: YOUR VETTING CHALLENGES SOLVED

• Audience-driven Q&A panel addressing:
• Questions submitted via conference app throughout the day
• Live audience questions
• Real-time problem-solving and practical guidance
• Interactive polling for audience perspectives

This is your opportunity to get answers from the experts on your specific vetting challenges.

16:45 - 17:30       CLOSING KEYNOTE & FUTURE TRENDS 2027 VISION: THE CONVERGENCE OF DIGITAL IDENTITY, AI & CONTINUOUS VERIFICATION

Followed by panel discussion with previous speakers

• Career Wallets becoming the new standard for credential verification
• EUDI Wallet rollout: What employers must prepare for by end 2026
• Continuous background checks and ongoing monitoring trends
• AI's responsible use: Balancing efficiency with GDPR and anti-bias regulations
• Blockchain for verification: Hype or reality?
• Predictions for 2027-2030: What's coming next?
• Interactive element: Live polling on adoption timelines and delegate concerns

17:30 - 18:30       NETWORKING RECEPTION

Drinks reception with exhibitors

Last year's delegates got real value for money:

"The most comprehensive vetting event I’ve attended. I left with practical tools we implemented immediately."

"Exceptional speakers and real‑world insights. The sessions on AI and digital identity were especially valuable."

"A must‑attend conference for anyone responsible for screening. I gained clarity, confidence and new solutions."

Our Platinum Sponsor HireRight delivers global background checks, drug testing, and employment verification services through an innovative platform. They want their clients to grow successfully and efficiently – no matter their size or location. They do this by offering a comprehensive screening solution that can be tailored to the unique needs of any organisation, giving enterprises peace of mind about their people and processes.

Their platform is easy to use and can be integrated with existing HR systems. HireRight has U.S. offices in Irvine, Calif., Tulsa, Okla., Nashville, Tenn., Chapin, S.C., and Dallas, Texas, and international offices in Australia, Canada, Estonia, India, Japan, Mexico, the Philippines, Poland, Singapore, the UAE, and the UK. Learn more at www.HireRight.com.

PBSA Europe

Better Hiring Institute

Pre Employment Directory

• AI‑enhanced vetting, automation and algorithmic transparency
• Digital identity, UK Digital ID programme and EUDI Wallet implications
• ERA 2025 compliance, unfair dismissal changes and regulatory risk
• Recruitment fraud prevention and strengthening fraud‑resistant processes
• GDPR, data protection and ethical use of AI in screening
• Sector‑specific vetting challenges: healthcare, financial services and high‑risk roles
• Social media screening: legality, ethics and practical frameworks
• Continuous monitoring and re‑screening strategies for ongoing workforce risk management
• Technology showcases: real‑time verification, digital credentials and bias‑mitigation tools
• Future trends 2027–2030: convergence of AI, digital identity and continuous verification

What does BFI specialise in?
BFI provides expert-led training in HR compliance, employment law, immigration for employers, union relations, workplace inclusion, and AI and talent solutions.

Who typically attends your courses?
Attendees include HR managers, legal teams, compliance officers, operations leaders, and public sector employers.

Are your trainers practitioners?
Yes. All trainers are experienced specialists; we feature practitioners from the public and private sectors as well as lawyers, policy advisers, former regulators, and consultants.

How do I book a course?
Choose an event on the website and click Register. You can pay online with a credit card or request an invoice.

Do you accept purchase orders?
Yes. Public and private-sector organisations may use PO numbers. These can be added during the registration process, or can be retrospectively added to am invoice if the place has been booked already.

We need to set you up as a Supplier, can you complete a form or send me over your company information?
Yes, we can do either; please contact us via info@bfi.co.uk

Can I get a PO number added to our invoice?
Yes, please send details through to info@bfi.co.uk or reply to us using your confirmation email

Do you offer group discounts?
Yes. Discounts for multiple bookings are automatically applied at checkout. For groups of over ten, it may be more cost-effective to run the course in-house. Call 01983 861133 for details

Can I transfer my place to another date or colleague?
Yes. Substitutions are free, and transfers are typically allowed within a set timeframe.

What is your cancellation policy?
BFI follows standard UK training-industry cancellation terms.

How are online courses delivered?
Training is delivered live via Zoom with interactive Q\&A and case-based discussion.

Will I receive slides and supporting materials?
Yes. Attendees receive slides, templates (where relevant), and many other useful documents and links.

Will I receive a copy of the event recording?
Our monthly subscription and webinar clients receive recordings of the live sessions; otherwise we do not record our courses to encourage confidential discussion and questions under the Chatham House Rule

What time zone are online events delivered in?
All events are delivered in UTC / London time unless otherwise stated

What is included in in-person events?
Full-day training includes refreshments, full documentation which is emailed prior to the event and networking opportunities.

Are your venues accessible?
Yes. All venues are fully accessible.

Are your courses CPD-certified?
Many courses are accredited by The CPD Certification Service.

Can I ask questions about my organisation’s situation?
Yes. Trainers answer questions during the session and can respond afterward.

Will the training help us prepare for an audit?
Yes, on our audit courses you will learn what triggers visits, what officers look for, and how to evidence compliance.

Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. All attendees receive a digital certificate of course completion.

Do you offer private or in-house training?
Yes. All courses can be tailored for your team. Visit https://bfi.co.uk/team-training/

Do you offer consultancy?
Yes. BFI offers policy reviews, audit preparation, HR compliance support, and workforce advisory services.

HR Directors and Managers, Security Managers, Recruitment and Resourcing Professionals, Legal and Compliance Officers, Risk Management Professionals, Directors and Managers responsible for Immigration and Right to Work Checks, Vetting and Screening Specialists, Administration and Operations Managers, Global Mobility Professionals, Anyone with responsibility for pre-employment vetting and screening within their organisation.

• Understand how AI and digital identity will reshape vetting workflows over the next 12–24 months.
• Identify compliance risks linked to the Employment Rights Act 2025, GDPR and emerging AI regulation.
• Apply practical frameworks to strengthen fraud‑resistant hiring and reduce screening errors.
• Evaluate new technologies that accelerate verification while maintaining accuracy and fairness.
• Build transparent, ethical and defensible vetting policies aligned with regulatory expectations.
• Improve screening decision‑making using data‑driven insights and sector‑tested best practices.
• Enhance organisational readiness through updated policies, re‑screening strategies and continuous monitoring models.