There’s a shift coming in 2026 that many are underestimating. It’s not loud. It’s not flashy. But it will change everything.
At a recent fireside chat I hosted with Kevin Hart (CEO & Chair of BASDA) and Philip Johnson (CTO here at Kintec), we unpacked the regulatory changes on the horizon-and more importantly, what they mean for the businesses that will have to live with them.
This isn’t about scare tactics. It’s about staying ahead. And doing the work now that others will scramble to catch up on later.
What’s Changing—and Why It Matters
In April 2026, the way liability is handled across the supply chain is set to change. Instead of sitting solely with providers or payroll intermediaries, accountability will stretch across the chain-from end clients to agencies to providers.
At first glance, that might sound like a legal technicality. It’s not.
It elevates compliance from a background function to a boardroom issue. Your systems, your partners, your processes-they’ll all be under the spotlight.
Let’s be clear:
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- This isn’t a policy update. It’s a structural reset.
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- This isn’t a minor compliance tweak. It’s a full stress test.
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- And the businesses that treat it like background noise will fall behind fast.
Speak Now or Be Spoken For
The final wording of the legislation isn’t locked in. That means there’s still time to help shape it, but not forever.
BASDA and the FCSA are both playing a crucial role right now acting as the voice of the sector, engaging the government, and pushing for practical, evidence-based policies.
As Kevin Hart put it during our chat:
“The sector still isn’t speaking with one voice, and that weakens our position.”
He’s right. We don’t need more resistance for the sake of it. We need collaboration, shared insight, and unified messaging.
Because if we don’t help shape the future, we’ll be stuck reacting to it on someone else’s terms.
Tech’s New Role: From Afterthought to Anchor
At Kintec, we’ve already made the shift. We know it’s tempting to wait for “final guidance” before building. But that’s no longer a luxury.
“We’re building for resilience,” (Philip Johnson, Kintec CTO.)
Today, software isn’t just admin, it’s infrastructure. It’s your audit trail, your compliance safety net, and your strategic differentiator.
Here’s what smart systems are doing now:
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- Speeding up onboarding without adding risk.
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- Tracking contractor movement in real time.
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- Automating compliance checks as part of day-to-day operations.
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- Surfacing insights for better and faster decisions.
If your systems are just helping you scrape by, it’s time to expect more from your tech.
Collaboration Is No Longer Optional
Let’s give credit where it’s due:
The industry has started to pull together and that deserves real recognition.
For too long, our sector was known more for fragmentation than unity. But in recent months, we’ve seen something shift. Whether it’s providers, platforms, agencies or compliance bodies, there’s genuine alignment starting to emerge.
Organisations like FCSA and BASDA are playing a huge part in that. The industry working group spearheaded by the FCSA is a brilliant example of collaboration, bringing voices together, focusing on practical solutions, and driving meaningful conversations across the supply chain.
But we’re not done.
We can’t let this momentum fade. There’s still more to do, more voices to include, more standards to set, more systems to connect.
The foundations are in place. Now we need to build on them.
Beyond 2026: Build for What Comes Next
You don’t futureproof your business by firefighting every regulation. You do it by building systems that adapt-intelligently, automatically, and without issues.
The winners in the next decade won’t be the ones that scrambled to comply. They’ll be the ones that are built to lead through change.
As Philip said:
“If you’re only aiming for compliance, you’ve already set the bar too low.”
So what should you be doing now?
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- Reinforce your tech stack.
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- Pressure test your supply chain.
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- Align your operations, tech, and compliance.
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- Engage with the FCSA, BASDA, and the wider sector.
Because April 2026 won’t define you. But how you prepare for it will.
One Last Thing… A Cause That Means A Lot
At Kintec, we genuinely give a sh!t, not just about our clients, but about our community.
That’s why we’re proud to once again support Alder Hey Children’s Charity, raising funds to help make life a little brighter for kids and families going through tough times.
On 5th September 2025, we’re taking on the Kintec Kilometres Half Marathon (21.1 km) and we’d love your support.
Ways to get involved:
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- Donate via our Alder Hey Amazon Wishlist
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- Join us on the walk – everyone’s welcome
Every donation brings more joy to children who spend weeks, months even years in hospital. Let’s give them something to smile about.
Let’s lead the shift. Together.
Kintec
