PBSA Unveils New Board Leadership to Drive Global Growth and Industry Standards
The Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA), the global trade association representing the background screening industry, announces a new board leadership structure, marking a significant moment in the association’s continued evolution and global growth.
Accurate’s Katie Hartley has been appointed Chair of the PBSA Board, succeeding Tim Gordon of InfoMart, who steps down following a transformative tenure as Chair and will remain on the board for a further year. The announcement reflects PBSA’s ongoing focus on governance maturity, global expansion and strengthening its role as the leading authority on ethical, compliant and accurate background screening worldwide.
During his term as Chair, Gordon oversaw a period of substantial organisational change, including a shift toward a fully staffed association model and a more proactive approach to addressing emerging threats and regulatory challenges facing the industry.
“We experienced significant change in how PBSA approached both industry risk and organisational structure,” said Gordon. “Moving to a dedicated global staff structure has been a defining step forward. It has allowed PBSA to focus consistently on advocacy, education and member support around the world. I’m incredibly proud of the foundation we’ve built and confident in the Association’s future under Katie’s leadership.”
Hartley’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for the background screening sector, as providers navigate increasing regulatory complexity, heightened scrutiny around data privacy and identity, and rapid technological change.
“I’m incredibly honoured and humbled to be trusted with this role by my peers,” said Hartley “PBSA has entered a new phase of maturity - with dedicated staff, a truly global framework and expanding councils. Now is the time to bring clarity to what background screening does, why it matters and
how it benefits employers, candidates and consumers alike. Education, industry practices and thought leadership will be central to our strategy as we continue to grow globally.”
Hartley also highlighted PBSA’s focus on emerging industry trends, including fraud detection, identity verification, artificial intelligence and evolving privacy legislation across jurisdictions.
“The regulatory landscape is becoming more complex every year,” Hartley added. “Our role as an association is to ensure members are supported with education, government relations and expertise, so they can operate responsibly and confidently in every market.”
As part of its wider leadership announcements, PBSA also confirmed that Will Hoggarth of chexperts has been appointed Chair of the Europe and Africa Council, reinforcing the association’s commitment to strengthening its presence and advocacy efforts across Europe and Africa.
“Strong regional leadership is essential as background screening continues to expand globally,” said Melissa Sorenson, Executive Director of PBSA. “With Katie stepping into the role of Chair, Tim’s legacy of organisational transformation, and Will leading our Europe and Africa Council, PBSA is exceptionally well positioned to support members through regulatory change, technological advancement and growing public expectations around trust and transparency.”
Founded in 2003, PBSA represents more than 850 member companies worldwide, providing accreditation, education, advocacy and resources to promote excellence in background screening practices across employment and tenancy markets.
For more information about PBSA and its leadership, visit www.thepbsa.org
