As we near the end of 2024, it’s important to reflect on the progress we’ve made this year at CDD and make plans for the year ahead. It’s been a year of growth, innovation, and significant milestones – not just for us, but also for the broader industry, especially with the introduction of the Data (Use and Access) Bill. This year has been full of achievements, and as we look ahead to 2025, there’s a lot to be excited about. Here’s a look back at some of the key highlights of 2024 and what we can expect from CDD in the year ahead.
Championing Inclusion
At CDD, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We’ve been working hard to build inclusive products that serve a wider range of people, particularly those who face barriers to accessing services. One such innovation this year was the addition of a No Photo ID requirement in Spotlite—our people compliance platform. For those without a photo ID, we’ve introduced a vouching system, allowing organisations to onboard even more individuals with a high standard of assurance. It’s a key step in our inclusion journey, and we are committed to continuing to build solutions that are accessible to all.
DBS Expansion
This year also marked a significant development in our DBS services. CDD was officially authorised to offer Basic DBS checks, adding to our already robust offering of Enhanced and Standard DBS checks. This new service is set to launch in the new year and will further streamline the background checking process for our customers. It’s an important addition to our suite of services, and we can’t wait to see how it helps businesses manage their compliance more effectively in 2025.
Building Reference & Qualification Checks into Spotlite
2024 also saw Spotlite evolve with the introduction of reference checks and qualification checks into the platform. These new features enhance our ability to support customers in verifying the background and credentials of potential employees, volunteers and more. By streamlining comprehensive checks alongside identity verification and screening, Spotlite has become an even more powerful tool for businesses looking to streamline their compliance and hiring processes. As we head into 2025, we will continue to develop Spotlite, adding more features to make it the go-to platform for all your vetting needs.
G-Cloud Success
Another milestone in 2024 was our inclusion in the G-Cloud framework. CDD is now an approved provider on this government framework, which makes it easier for public sector organisations to access our services. This has been a significant achievement, and we are looking forward to expanding our presence within the public sector in the coming year.
Launching SafeGuarden
One of the standout moments for CDD this year was the launch of SafeGuarden, our innovative platform for secure personal data stores, designed to enhance data privacy and trust across various sectors. SafeGuarden has attracted a huge amount of interest across several pioneering use cases, including SafeGuarden Volunteers – an initiative aimed at providing volunteers with a secure and streamlined way to prove their credentials. We’re thrilled with the response to this launch and excited to see it continue to grow in 2025.
Looking ahead, we will be introducing SafeGuarden to new communities, starting with our first community scheme launch in the Greater Manchester area of Leigh. This launch will also include a pilot programme in collaboration with Leigh Means Business, a local initiative aimed at boosting community resilience and supporting local businesses. We’re excited to see how this partnership will help shape the future of SafeGuarden and extend its benefits to more people and businesses.
Consultancy Expansion
2024 was also a year of growth for our consultancy services. We were proud to welcome two new partners to our network: Hope & May, who will expand our compliance offering, and Wolf Network Security, which will help us further develop our cybersecurity expertise. In addition, we’re expanding our consultancy services to include leadership development and change management – two areas where we have deep expertise and experience. These additions will allow us to provide even more value to our clients in 2025.
ADVP Leadership
This year, I had the honour of becoming Chair of the ADVP (Association of Data & Verification Providers), and I’m proud of the progress we’ve made. Since taking on this role in January, ADVP has seen significant progress, both in terms of membership and influence. We’re now better positioned than ever to support and advocate for the data and identity verification industry. The progress we’ve made this year has set a strong foundation for even more success in 2025.
New Packages
As we look ahead to 2025, one of our key priorities will be to expand our service offering to tailored packages for vertical markets, including a focus on BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standard) checks. This approach will allow us to meet the specific needs of different industries and sectors, providing them with solutions that are better suited to their unique challenges.
Looking Ahead with Gratitude
As we close out 2024, I want to take a moment to thank our incredible staff and customers. Our achievements this year would not have been possible without your support and dedication. We’re excited about the opportunities that 2025 will bring, and we can’t wait to continue working with you to shape the future of data verification and compliance.
Here’s to another year of growth, innovation, and success. Thank you for being part of the CDD journey!
