A former policeman has developed a new app to enable firms, sports clubs and organisations to protect their reputation and ensure a healthy culture.

Nick Inge, from Allington, near Maidstone, spent 25 years as a sergeant with Kent Police before retiring aged 50.

He said: “Part of what I used to do was to recruit and manage informants to gather information to prevent wrong-doing, first local crime, and later serious crime and counter-terrorism.

“When I retired, I realised that there was a gap in the market, that in civilian life it was just as important to have information about wrong-doing, especially these days when corporate reputation is so important.”

His iTrust speak-up app empowers employers or managers to discover the truth about what is going on in their organisations by facilitating feedback from employees or customers.

Mr Inge said: “One sector where there has been a big take-up of the app is in football.

“There have been a lot of issues in football. Clubs need to be aware of inappropriate behaviour such as racism or bullying.

“The app enables parents, players or club officials to easily report anything they see that they feel uncomfortable with - or indeed to report anything positive. It’s a two-way process where suggestions can be made.”

Mr Inge first set up a telephone hotline for his own son’s under-9s football team at K Sports in Ditton.

That proved so successful that he sought to create the app, employing the Influential Software Company to design the technology.

His firm, which is based in Conqueror Court in Sittingbourne, has now been running for almost five years.

Its customers include Kings Hill Cricket Club, Kings Hill FC, Staplehurst Monarchs FC, Verbeo Computers, Icarus Solar Energy, Sports Connect at Aylesford, Genco from Hollingbourne and Rochester-based Dragon Coworking.

With the slogan, Speak Up In Confidence, the app enables easy, anonymous reporting of any concerns, although of course informants can give their identity if they wish.

Mr Inge explained: “Each client is given their own QR code which can easily be displayed on football programmes, the back of seats, on posters or on a website. It’s then easy for people to scan the code and submit their feedback.”

The submission is emailed directly to the organisation’s nominated administrator and there is a facility for the informant to submit photos or video evidence.

Mr Inge said: “It enables organisations to deal with a problem promptly before it gets out of hand.”

Would-be customers can test the service in a free trial.

For details, visit the firm’s website here.

Mr Inge said: “The app’s really taking off now. We are getting interest from across the country, not just in Kent, and we have some interest from large corporate clients.”