UK SMEs turn to AI and ledger tech as manual due diligence falls behind

By Puja Sharma

Digital identity and AI are poised to transform due diligence for UK SMEs

AI, digital identity and distributed ledger technology are transforming how organisations manage verification and compliance. 

Due diligence remains a cornerstone of responsible business, a vital process that uncovers financial, legal, operational and reputational risks before partnerships, investments or acquisitions take place. But while major corporations have the teams, budget and infrastructure to manage increasingly complex compliance demands, many SMEs still face significant barriers.  

Manual processes, duplicated effort, and the cost of repeated verification checks continue to slow down operations. In some cases, this even prevents smaller firms from accessing larger supply chains. 

According to Cindy van Niekerk, CEO of Umazi, a provider of digital corporate identity and automated due diligence technology, the solution lies in making due diligence digital, dynamic and continuous rather than static, manual and repetitive.

A Research from Umazi shows that 44% of UK businesses report that verification processes are still highly manual, time-consuming, and inefficient, while 88% want a “trust-stamp” that proves a company is genuine before they work together. 

New regulatory frameworks such as the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) are raising expectations across entire supply chains. Even when these rules do not apply directly to SMEs, they are indirectly required to meet higher standards to continue working with corporate partners. Without modern systems, many risk being excluded from key markets or contract opportunities.

“We’re reaching a turning point”, van Niekerk continued. “The compliance burden is increasing, expectations are rising across global supply chains, and manual verification simply cannot keep up. Digital identity, AI-powered monitoring and distributed ledger technology are reshaping due diligence into an always-on process, one that finally gives SMEs a level playing field. 

“Whether it’s verifying suppliers, assessing ESG risk, or maintaining audit-ready records, organisations are being asked to do more with less. By using reusable, verified digital credentials and secure data-sharing, businesses can eliminate duplication, reduce human error and dramatically increase the speed of onboarding and verification. This isn’t just a technological upgrade; it’s a fundamental redesign of how trust is established between organisations.” 

In the eyes of many compliance specialists, the only path to effective reform is for organisations of all sizes to embrace digital workflows. Traditional methods are not only slow but often fragmented, with finance, procurement, legal and compliance teams each conducting their own checks. Corporate digital identity platforms consolidate these processes into a single enterprise due diligence framework, enabling consistent, governed and transparent verification across entire organisations. 

Digital identity technology is particularly important as regulations tighten. Verified digital credentials allow organisations to securely share key data once and reuse it across multiple partners and jurisdictions. Distributed ledger technology provides immutable audit trails, ensuring due diligence records cannot be tampered with and remain easily accessible for regulators or auditors. Regulation is accelerating – from the EU’s CSDDD to the U.S. Corporate Transparency Act – and supply chains are becoming more scrutinised than ever”, van Niekerk added.

“But the answer isn’t more paperwork; it’s better systems. Digital identity wallets, AI-driven risk monitoring and permissioned blockchain networks enable continuous due diligence at a fraction of the manual effort. This turns compliance from a cost centre into a growth enabler.

“Large corporations are already moving toward advanced, always-on due diligence supported by sophisticated technology stacks. SMEs simply can’t compete using manual processes. By adopting secure, reusable digital identity credentials and automated risk assessments, smaller firms can meet enterprise-level expectations and access new markets, partnerships and funding opportunities. Digital due diligence is no longer a future ideal; it’s a competitive necessity.” 

“The next generation of due diligence will be continuous, intelligent and collaborative. Businesses that modernise now will not only remain compliant, but they’ll also lead with transparency, earn greater trust, and unlock new opportunities in an increasingly interconnected global economy”, concluded van Niekerk.