About Us

The founder members of the association:

  • Neotas
  • Credentious
  • AIM Proactive
  • Lean Consulting
  • Avvanz
  • Audent
  • Inspired Acts

AFODD is the trade association for Online Due Diligence organisations and professionals. Its members are committed to providing consistent high quality online due diligence services to customers ranging in size from global companies to small and medium enterprises’ and end-users.

Our mission:

Our mission is to be the voice of the Online Due Diligence sector, supporting members, encouraging excellence and providing confidence to the organisations and individuals that use their services.

Our vision:

Our vision is to create a climate where Membership is the symbol of quality and professionalism.

BENEFIT OF CHOOSING OUR MEMBERS

PRIVACY

AFODD members will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of people you deal with, people you hire, your customers, suppliers and people you invest in but never at the expense of their privacy. These checks are best carried out by an unbiased third party i.e. our members. This removes accusations of discrimination or unconscious bias i.e. once you’ve seen something you cannot un-see it especially when looking for Racist, Sexist, or Discriminatory Behaviour, Sexually Explicit Material, Threats or Acts of Violence, or Potentially Illegal Activity. It’s hard to prove that an organisation didn’t use that information in an employment decision i.e. in the event of a claim it may be assumed that if you accessed it, you used it. Outsourcing the service removes this possibility.

QUALITY

To become a member, each organisation must be audited against the Personnel Online Screening Standard (POSS) that ensures compliance with the law and in particular with the laws regarding data protection. An annual audit is carried out by an independent auditor to ensure objectivity, integrity and honesty. Members must be able to demonstrate that their staff are screened prior to employment and their service accesses only publicly available data and always with candidate consent.

MEMBERS MUST ADHERE TO STANDARDS

  • POSS
  • GDPR
  • ISO27001 (or equivalent)

MEMBERS STAFF ARE SCREENED PRIOR TO EMPLOYMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF POSS WHICH INCLUDES:

  • BS7858 – 5yr career references, proof of ID, proof of address, financial probity, criminality check
  • Character checks via an in depth internet analysis in accordance with BS7858
  • All staff sign a binding confidentiality agreement

INSURANCE

  • All members maintain public liability insurance of £10m and professional indemnity insurance of at least £5m

Advisory Panel

PATRICK BUTLER

PATRICK BUTLER

PATRICK BUTLER IS CO-FOUNDER OF THE
CONDUCT AND CULTURE ACADEMY AT UK FINANCE AND FOUNDER OF CALITOR
LIMITED. A FORMER DIPLOMAT,
INVESTMENT BANKER, OPERATING OFFICER, HEAD OF COMPLIANCE, HE NOW ADVISES AND
COACHES SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND FUTURE LEADERS TO ENHANCE BEHAVIOURAL
UNDERSTANDING UNDERPINNING PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS TO MEET THE CHANGING REGULATORY
LANDSCAPE AND BUILD COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE.