Experience

PAYA Group

• United Kingdom
• Financial Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Sales Director

  • Oct 2016 - Present

  PAYA GROUP TRADING AS LIBERTYPAY, PAYACHARITY, QIXPAY, AND PAYACARDSERVICES is a Technology led financial services business formed in 2009 by Bill Thomson previously MD of Barclaycard. The business operates directly, as well as having a comprehensive partner program from white label ISO arrangements, to self-employed opportunities. Whether you're looking to drive additional revenue from your customer base, launch your own payment service or simply be rewarded for referring customers to us, we'd love to hear from you. The group provides affordable card processing services to thousands of UK businesses. Its core Proposition supports merchant accounts for new and established businesses of all sizes. Underpinned by its own in-house infrastructure and IP it has developed a fully integrated multi-channel capability allowing merchants to take payments over the telephone, online, face to face using latest chip and pin terminals or mPOS card readers connected through our payamobile or payacharity smartphone app. We operate a range of brands including the award winning Payatrader, the first Pay As You Go, multi-channel service. In 2015 we launched Paya Card Services which is the brand we use with SME's and Corporates. Offering full merchant account services, typically to high card turnover businesses or those looking for latest technology terminals. PCS also provides the highest level of data security with its Point-to-Point Encryption service - ideal for large retailers. We also have a suite of channel focused Paya brands most notably Payataxi and Payacharity which is the brand leader in contactless donations Signing up with any of our brands is easy and we have a 100% online application, we offer Pay As You Go and Pay Monthly options. Pay As you Go is perfect for start-ups and small businesses, there is no minimum term contract, no fixed monthly charges and no PCI fees. The Pay Monthly Account is for established & high card turnover businesses.



Payzone Group

• Commercial Director

  • Jun 2010 - May 2016

  Payzone operates one of the UK's largest branded payments networks, delivering a wide range of payment services. Payzone technology is integrated with some of the UK's biggest corporate organisations including Vodafone, EON, and Barclaycard for whom Payzone process over 100 million electronic transactions accross a variety of services, including mobile phone top ups, debit/credit card transactions, local authority payments,and pre-paid utilities. Payzone provide this service through a technical solution deployed to a network of 20,000 retail agents across convenience and high street retailers including Spar, Londis, Waitrose and 99p stores. Payzone’s focus is on delivering leading edge payment services that drive greater efficiency for clients and increased revenues for its retail partners. As industry leader, Payzone's technology credentials, capabilities and expertise are a particular strength of the business. Mark is responsible for all sales and marketing activities accross both corporate and retail channels, including client management, product launches and business development. Mark has built new sales teams across both the convenience and Card Acceptance business’ as well as developing sales capability within our Corporate sales team, where not only existing telecom and bill payment accounts are managed but also our new account acquisitions including Barclaycard, The Health Lottery, Next Directory, EDF, United Utilities and Smart Ticketing Clients.



Direct Management Consultancy

• United Kingdom
• Book and Periodical Publishing

• Managing Director

  • 2007 - 2010

  Set up consultancy business providing sales and marketing services. Completed a £100m controlled stock clearance working on behalf of Deloitte at Entertainment UK. Stock was sold through major high street retailers, such as, Tesco, Sainsbury, and Asda, as well as existing and new distributors in UK and Europe. Set up consultancy business providing sales and marketing services. Completed a £100m controlled stock clearance working on behalf of Deloitte at Entertainment UK. Stock was sold through major high street retailers, such as, Tesco, Sainsbury, and Asda, as well as existing and new distributors in UK and Europe.



Isis Telecommunications North Ltd

• General Manager

  • 2004 - 2007

  Created, developed and motivated a dedicated sales team more than doubling turnover and profit. Spearheaded a culture and mindset change at Board level to move sales from small client wins to secure large contract accounts. Restructured operations and customer service on 2 occasions to meet customer requirements and company growth. Isis won national industry award for best customer service. Created and developed distributor relationships, which contributed 50% of sales and profit growth. Led the Company as General Manager for 18 months up to acquisition and 4 months thereafter. Increased shareholder dividends each year whilst increasing staff levels for future development. Recruited and developed acquisition and retention team, whilst taking a personal lead in both disciplines. Created innovative promotional offers and new products to win and retain clients. Assisted shareholders in realising the full value of the Company with a sale to Vodafone. Managed change programme post acquisition whilst successfully integrating 100% of existing accounts into Vodafone and winning the largest account the company ever secured increasing sales by 15%.



Waterford Wedgwood plc

• United Kingdom

• Sales & Marketing Director

  • 1999 - 2004

  Full P&L responsibility for Wedgwood’s European and Export business. Directed a multi brand sales team based in UK and Europe. Formulated and implemented the 5-year strategic plan across 3 diverse UK and International stand-alone business units: Export & Europe, Hotel & Airlines, and Travel Retail. Exceeded profit targets in all business units by more than 20%. Turnover was £37m with a marketing spend of £2m Transformed a loss making airline business to a strategically important and profitable business within 2 years. Sales went from £200k to £3m and profit from a loss of £60k to a contribution of £750k. Secured major new contract wins including British Airways (£4m), Duni (£12m), and Cunard (£3m). Rejuvenated Wedgwood Hotelware through restructuring Personnel, Customer Service, Manufacturing Process’ Stock Levels and Warehousing. Resulting in creating a profit within 1 year after 6 years of continual loss. Developed over 200 bespoke products and established offshore manufacturing. This facilitated penetration into new markets and increased profits by 40%. Developed new products and support materials, including packaging, point of sale, brochures and fixturing. Opened Waterford Wedgwood’s first stand-alone travel store in T3 Heathrow with first year sales of £1m. Successfully co-ordinated product launches throughout Europe including Jasper Conran, achieved sales of £3m, and secured media coverage of £6m for a cost of £0.5m. Introduced new product category “Accessories” to travel retail increasing sales by 25% Opened and developed new markets in North America, Middle East, Europe and Asia. Maintained a level playing field for all customers whilst managing multi channel routes to market with same end user



Royal Doulton plc

• Sales & Marketing Director

  • 1994 - 1999

  Completed Board and Company restructure. Increased market share from 11% to 18% in one year. Developed and launched new brand identity. Secured new contracts with Argos, Debenhams, The Bay (Canada), and Federated (USA). Completed Board and Company restructure. Increased market share from 11% to 18% in one year. Developed and launched new brand identity. Secured new contracts with Argos, Debenhams, The Bay (Canada), and Federated (USA).



Colorol Edinburgh Crystal

• Trade Sales Manager

  • 1990 - 1994

  Controlled all trade business sectors: National Accounts, Independents, and Incentives & Export. Increased turnover by 19% against a market that declined by 10%. Penetrated new accounts including Debenhams and Costco. Utilised FMCG processes and procedures to change sales team ways of working resulting in increased sales, better customer contact, and improved management controls Controlled all trade business sectors: National Accounts, Independents, and Incentives & Export. Increased turnover by 19% against a market that declined by 10%. Penetrated new accounts including Debenhams and Costco. Utilised FMCG processes and procedures to change sales team ways of working resulting in increased sales, better customer contact, and improved management controls



Whitbread Take Home

• Sales Manager

  • 1984 - 1990

  Completed full FMCG training programme, including courses for account management sales and man management, train the trainer and negotiation skills. Consistently in top 5 sales people in company, winning 9 awards and becoming “Salesman of the Year” on 2 occasions. Completed territory restructure for the UK (over 100 salespeople). Completed full FMCG training programme, including courses for account management sales and man management, train the trainer and negotiation skills. Consistently in top 5 sales people in company, winning 9 awards and becoming “Salesman of the Year” on 2 occasions. Completed territory restructure for the UK (over 100 salespeople).