Cansford Labs - Pioneering drug and alcohol testing

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Cansford Labs - Pioneering drug and alcohol testing
ABOUT CANSFORD

Who are we?

We’re a trusted UK-based provider of award-winning, accredited drug and alcohol testing services. Since 1993, our expert team has delivered high-quality, reliable results with unmatched speed. With a proud history of leadership and innovation, we ensure the highest standards from collection to analysis.

Cansford Laboratories traces its roots back to 1993, when founders John Wicks and Dr. Lolita Tsanaclis developed the UK’s first hair testing regime for drug and alcohol use. Their pioneering methods have now become much copied and commonplace across various industries and laboratories nationwide.

John and Lolita, after establishing and then selling TrichoTech, continued their passion for innovation by founding Cansford Laboratories whose USP was – and still is  – to provide accurate drug and alcohol testing faster than the industry norm, while also developing new testing methods.

Since 2023, we’ve been part of the Phenna Group, a global provider of testing, inspection, certification and compliance services.

Experience and accuracy

For over 30 years, our team has been at the forefront of hair testing, enhancing and expanding drug and alcohol testing methods. From our state-of-the-art laboratory in Cardiff, we provide comprehensive testing services across the UK, catering to family law, social care, criminal law, education, and workplace sectors. Our commitment to quality is reflected in our ISO 17025 and UKAS accreditation, ensuring our customers receive the highest standards of scientific support and accuracy in all our tests.

Commitment to innovation

Cansford Labs is committed to continuous research and improvement of our testing methods. We publish our findings and attend/host conferences around the globe to share knowledge with the testing community. Today, we still offer the UK’s fastest hair drug and alcohol testing service, while also investing in R&D and contributing to conferences and symposia to drive up industry standards. Our goal is to make the testing process as fast, clear, simple, and stress-free as possible for our clients.

Our team

We’re a small but perfectly formed team of scientists, operations, sales and marketing professionals, and administrators. Our scientists include lab technicians, toxicologists, and court-trained report writers, who are also expert witnesses.

We all work together to deliver precise and reliable results. Our friendly admin team is always available to answer your questions and provide quotes, ensuring you receive prompt and efficient support without having to wait for your assigned account manager.

Additionally, we have over 50 collectors located all over the UK. They’re vetted and professionally trained (many are former nurses or phlebotomists) to make donors feel at ease. Our collectors can be available in 48 working hours to perform collections wherever necessary, whether that’s at home or an agreed public place, for example a solicitor’s office or GP practice.

Our leadership team

Kim Bagley, Managing Director at Cansford Labs

Kim Bagley

Managing Director

Maristela Andraus, Scientfic Director at Cansford Labs

Maristela Andraus

Scientific Director

Iwan Major, Finance Director at Cansford Labs

Iwan Major

Finance Director

Alex Ryder, Head of Sales and Marketing at Cansford Labs

Alex Ryder

Head of Sales and Marketing

James Nutt, Laboratory Manager at Cansford Labs

James Nutt

Laboratory Manager

What do our clients say about our testing?

Testimonials

"Great service as always. I always find your quick and efficient in responding to enquiries and it is so helpful to receive the results expeditiously."

Solicitor - West Sussex

"Thank you for your magnificent and prompt service, you delivered on time and was very professional. I will definitely recommend your service to my colleagues."

Social Worker - London

"Thank you – very pleased with the speed of the results. Had issues with other companies with delays so will definitely be using Cansford again in the future"

Solicitor - London

From the very first time that we contacted Cansford with an initial query, we have always been extremely satisfied with their service. We often have to have urgent pre-employment drug tests done and the team at Cansford always come up trumps for us. The Collectors are always on time and do a really efficient job of taking hair samples. The lab are quick and the Administrative staff are always very helpful, setting up collections for crew members quickly and efficiently.

We would highly recommend Cansford Labs.

Administrator - Yacht Management Company

"You and your team were all very friendly helpful and efficient. I got my results in good time. I would definitely recommend you."

Adam - Birmingham

  How many clients have we worked with? More than….

Partners Worldwide

Organisations with thousands of employees

Family solicitors in the UK

Individuals UK wide