Credas
Cardiff identity verification and AML check platform for regulated firms, including accountants; owned by SmartSearch since January 2026.
| Founded | 2017, Cardiff (Credas Technologies Ltd, incorporated October 2016) |
|---|---|
| Founders | Rhys David (chief executive at launch) and Kevin Smith (co-founder and chief technology officer until 2024); Tim Barnett is chief executive |
| Ownership | Owned by SmartSearch, the AML screening company backed by Triple Private Equity; SmartSearch agreed in October 2025 to buy Credas from Dye & Durham for about £77.8m and completed the deal in January 2026; Dye & Durham had bought Credas in November 2023 |
| Customers | More than 1,000 clients at the time of the SmartSearch deal; over 350,000 people a month verify through Credas; 60% of UK housing transactions involve Credas directly or through partners; customers include Connells Group, Deloitte, NHS, EY and Indeed |
| What it does | Biometric ID verification with NFC and passive liveness by app, web portal or API; AML checks, PEP and sanctions screening with ongoing monitoring; Know Your Business reports; open banking source of funds checks; Companies House director ID verification; Right to Work and Right to Rent checks; client payments |
| Recent moves | Acquired by SmartSearch (completed January 2026); proof of concept with Lloyds Banking Group and Connells Group on digital home buying (2026); director ID verification checks for Companies House rules, with bulk verification of existing clients |
| Pricing | Four packages: Gateway (monthly billing, flat fee per search, five users), Entry (monthly billing with volume discounts, unlimited users), Pro/Enterprise and white-label Partners; no set-up fee on the low-volume package; prices not published |
| Markets | UK regulated firms in property, legal, accountancy, finance, recruitment and corporate services, across 40 sectors; certified under the UK digital identity trust framework; data stored in the UK; international AML watchlists |
| Peers | Thirdfort, Amiqus, First AML, Yoti, Onfido |
Why it matters
Credas verifies more than 350,000 people a month for over 1,000 regulated firms, and SmartSearch bought it from Dye & Durham for about £77.8 million in a deal completed in January 2026. For accounting firms it covers client ID, AML and sanctions screening and Companies House director identity checks in one service.
Updated October 2026.
Part of Accountio’s accounting technology coverage.
