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
Maristela Andraus
Scientific Director
Iwan Major
Finance Director
Alex Ryder
Head of Sales and Marketing
James Nutt
Laboratory Manager
What do our clients say about our testing?
Testimonials
How many clients have we worked with? More than….