Beyond compliance:
Driving Agent Quality & Impact Through Digital Transformation

16 September | University of Sheffield

At a Glance: Product Spotlight
SAMS Pay – Is Your Commission Processing A Barrier To...?
  • Time: 13:35 – 14:10
  • Hosts: Sham Ghani (SAMS Global)
  • Panellists: Amy Jones (University of Sheffield) & Sam Whiteside (University of Lancashire)
Key Question

“If a regulator walked in tomorrow and asked you to show every commission payment you’ve made in the past three years, could you do it? And would your agents agree with your records?”

The Problem Space
  • Complexity of Payments: Multiple structures (deposit/visa/enrolment milestones).
  • Sub-Agent Chains: Harder to track transparently.
  • Manual Processes: Errors, disputes, and fraud risks.
The Compliance Challenge (AQF)
  • Requires evidence of transparent, fair, auditable commission payments.
  • Universities accountable for ensuring agents are paid correctly and on time.
  • Lack of transparency undermines trust with both agents and regulators.
Perspectives in the Debate
  • University Viewpoint: Efficiency, reduced admin burden, audit trail for AQF/UKVI, risk management.
  • Agent Viewpoint: Confidence in fair and timely payments; disputes erode trust; smaller agents depend on cashflow.
  • Regulator Viewpoint: Increasing scrutiny of financial flows; governance must be demonstrable.
The Role of Technology – SAMS Pay
  • Secure Payments: Built-in controls reduce errors/disputes.
  • Transparency: Dashboards for universities and agents.
  • Audit Trail: Every payment linked to student progression (deposit, visa, enrolment).
  • Customisation: Handles complex structures without losing rigour.
  • Confidence Building: Strengthens trust and supports long-term partnerships.
Questions to Drive the Session
  • How transparent should commission payments be — and to whom?
  • What risks are universities running if they keep relying on manual/opaque processes?
  • Does paying agents correctly and on time strengthen recruitment quality and compliance?
  • How can systems like SAMS Pay balance complexity (structures, sub-agents) with simplicity and clarity?
Takeaways for Delegates
  • Clearer understanding of why commission payments are a compliance and trust issue.
  • Awareness of AQF/UKVI expectations around auditable financial processes.
  • Insight into how SAMS Pay addresses key challenges with security, transparency, and efficiency.
  • Confidence that commission transparency strengthens recruitment quality, not just compliance.