If there's one thing every business owner, investor, or startup founder knows, it's that trust doesn't come easy, yet it's often the most important thing you rely on when making big decisions. That's the gap Irfan Farooq is determined to close with his company, Glocal Corporate Research and Investigations.
Based in the UK and operating around the world, GLCRI has carved a reputation for helping organisations of all sizes make safer, smarter decisions by uncovering the truth before deals are signed, partnerships are formed, or people are hired.
The Moment That Changed Everything
Irfan's journey into this space didn't start with flashy boardrooms or high-level advisory gigs. It began on the ground, watching something that still bothers him today.
"I've seen businesses lose money or damage their reputation simply because they didn't have the right checks in place," Irfan reflects. "That stayed with me."
Originally from Pakistan, with a background in business, Irfan spent years working closely with companies and seeing firsthand how much they relied on trust when making decisions. The problem? Verifying that trust was often difficult, expensive, or simply beyond reach for smaller players. "People rely on trust so much, but it's so difficult to verify things properly," he says. "I kept thinking: what if there was a service that made it easier and more reliable for anyone, not just big corporations, to do proper due diligence?"
That question wouldn't let him go. Too often, trust was misplaced. Deals would fall through, reputations would take a hit, or money would be lost simply because someone didn't have the right information at the right time. The frustration of watching that happen, and knowing it could have been prevented, planted the seed for GLCRI's mission: to empower people and organisations with clarity and confidence.
Building Something Different
At its heart, GLCRI is a background check, due diligence, and risk management powerhouse. But what makes it different is its approach. Irfan wanted to create something that combined traditional investigative insight with modern digital tools, making thorough checks accessible to businesses of all sizes, not just the Fortune 500.
"My project is about helping people make safer and smarter decisions in business," Irfan explains. "The idea is to make the process easier, faster, and more affordable, especially for startups and small businesses that don't usually have access to thorough checks."
Headquartered in the United Kingdom but operating globally across Asia Pacific, South Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas, GLCRI offers a truly comprehensive range of services tailored to the real-world needs of modern businesses. It starts with background screening: pre-employment checks, education and employment verification, criminal record searches, identity checks, civil litigation history reviews, driver record checks, and even social media screening. Whether a startup needs to vet its first key hire or a multinational wants to validate a new partner on another continent, these services give clients the granular detail they need.
Beyond screening individuals, GLCRI goes deeper into organisational integrity with third-party risk management and due diligence, including Know Your Customer (KYC), enhanced due diligence (EDD), sanctions and watchlist screening, and third-party assessments. These services are vital in today's globalised world, where businesses increasingly operate across borders and regulatory environments, and where a minor oversight can carry major consequences.
But GLCRI doesn't stop there. The company also provides anti-money laundering advisory, helping clients develop AML compliance programs, conduct risk assessments, monitor transactions, and implement robust systems that meet evolving regulatory standards. Their work in business intelligence, insurance fraud investigations, and even HR recruitment services reinforces the idea that risk management isn't a single task. It's a holistic discipline that touches every part of a business.
The Global Edge
What truly sets GLCRI apart is the global scale and adaptability of its expertise. With over 15 years of experience and operations spanning 120 countries, the company has experts strategically positioned in regions where reliable information is often difficult to source. The client base spans industries from financial services and healthcare to technology and government, and the insights GLCRI delivers are not just accurate, they're regionally informed.
Whether a client is assessing a vendor in a remote market or verifying a high-net-worth individual's credentials, GLCRI's global reach gives it an edge. And it's not just about delivering reports. Irfan is clear about this: "We believe in building strong, collaborative relationships. We take the time to understand your ambitions and deliver a high-end, customised and scalable solution that evolves alongside your company."
This approach turns what might otherwise be a technical service into an ongoing partnership, one that grows and adapts as businesses evolve.
Looking Forward
For Irfan, the next five years are about more than just expansion. "I'd love to see this project grow into a trusted name in background checks and due diligence, not just locally but internationally," he says. He envisions GLCRI partnering with governments and financial institutions, using emerging technologies like AI and automation to accelerate insights without compromising accuracy.
"I want to use technology to make the process faster without losing accuracy," he explains. "Ultimately, my vision is to make trust the standard in every business relationship."
It's an ambitious goal, but one that feels increasingly urgent in a world where opacity can be costly and transparency is currency.
A New Chapter in the UK
Settling into the UK has been another exciting dimension of this journey for Irfan. "I'm really looking forward to the business environment here," he shares. "It's such a great mix of tradition, innovation, and diversity. I think being in that ecosystem will be inspiring and a big learning opportunity."
With its blend of historic tradition and vibrant innovation, the UK provides a unique backdrop for GLCRI's evolution. For Irfan, it's not just about business growth. It's about being part of a diverse ecosystem where ideas, cultures, and industries intersect and inspire.
"On a personal level, I'm also excited about experiencing the culture: the history, the architecture, and of course the diversity of people and ideas," he adds.
The Mission Continues
At its core, the GLCRI story is about transparency in an opaque world. It's about giving businesses not just data, but confidence in how they operate, grow, and collaborate. In an age where one missing detail can change the course of a deal, where reputation can be built or destroyed in a single transaction, that mission couldn't be more important.
Irfan has seen what happens when trust is given blindly. He's also seen what's possible when it's given wisely, backed by information, insight, and integrity. And through GLCRI, he's building a world where that kind of informed trust isn't a luxury reserved for the biggest players. It's a standard accessible to everyone.
Because at the end of the day, good business isn't just about taking chances. It's about taking the right chances, armed with the right information. And that's exactly what Irfan and GLCRI are making possible.
Background Check | Due Diligence | Global Risk Management Solutions
https://theglcri.co.uk/
