Business name: Yorkshire Payments
Based: Brighouse
Website: yorkshirepayments.com
Person nominated: James Howard
James Howard is the founder of Yorkshire Payments, a straight-talking, successful entrepreneur who has grown his business to a 13-strong team with a projected turnover of £560,000 in four years.
James, who made it to the last 25 of the BBC’s The Apprentice in 2008, launched Yorkshire Payments following eight years’ experience in the payment services industry to provide alternative support to SMEs in Yorkshire and beyond with simple payment solutions.
The company has competed with a number of corporate banks to successfully deliver card payment options for businesses and has won two three-year contracts with leading players Global Payments and AIB. It is also the only independent licensed provider based in Yorkshire registered by VISA and MasterCard.
James is committed to supporting young people in business, having taken on two apprentices and with plans to take on two more soon.
James has ambitious growth plans and aims to achieve a £2.2 million turnover by 2019. He secured capital from an angel investor in 2014, which gave him the necessary financial backing and credibility to pursue the banking contracts needed and grow the team. The business recently expanded with the appointment of three tele-appointers and moved into purpose-built offices to support its continued growth.
