February 2017

26 BUILD / February 2017 , Experian: Preparing for Growth Experian is the leading global information services company, providing data, analytical tools and insight for clients across all sectors around the world. This Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulated organisation has a breadth of services; from credit checking and screening tomarketing services, fromhelping to protect businesses from fraud to guiding people and businesses towards better financial decisions. Experian has established significant partnerships across various industries including Financial Services, Banking, Insurance, Telecoms, Utilities, Automotive, Retail andmore. We spoke to VickyMcNab and Izabella Jagiello-Marks to learnmore about Experian’s Background Checking service and how screening can protect and support the construction and building sector. “One of the areas where we spend a lot of time and focus is around understanding markets and their trends. For construction specifically our economic forecasts show us that over the next three years construction is expected to grow by 5%, specifically showing a 7% growth in new build work compared to maintenance which is forecast to remain at the same level.” Vicky also went on to outline the importance of embracing this growth and the basic best practices organisations need to consider to protect and mitigate risk and increase opportunity. “It is really important that any constructor, or builder, considers this growth and has a strategy for its workforce in place. With building projects, personal or commercial, being a major part in society, and managing one of the largest trade workforces, it has meant that public commentary on its practices are often reported on, and not always in a positive light. This spans from construction sites to the capabilities of the workers. There are multiple areas constructors and builders need to consider – from sensitivities around the neighbours to health and safety of its workforce and the provision of best practice in production. We have built a substantial and longstanding background checking customer base over the past 17 years, providing employment screening and more to thousands of organisations across all industry sectors with construction being a significant area of focus for us. From the provision of easily deployable web-based services for small businesses to fully bespoke business process management systems for the in-house provision of screening services. There is no ‘one size fits all’ and this has been particularly useful for the firms we have supported to date – flexibility and scalability” Izabella continued: “Ultimately, a detailed professional background check can take the guesswork out of vital recruitment decisions by providing a thorough understanding of an individual’s background and their skills. Employers commonly use background checks to recruit the right people for the right roles, ensure qualifications are valid, gain a view of their right to work, increase staff retention and protect their brand and employees. An official background check also acts as an essential safeguard against fraudulent activity, preventing possible income loss and damages to reputation and integrity, by confirming that an individual is who they say they are, and that the information they are providing is valid. These types of solutions can be provided as service and/ or as software, allowing for flexibility many other firms cannot offer, with the added offer of consultancy to ensure best practice is applied.” 1612BU45 Vicky McNab Izabella Jagiello-Marks