A CARD payment specialist with headquarters in Haydock has launched a base in Scotland as its expansion plans continue.

Handepay, a card processing provider based on Westway Park, has expanded north of the border, establishing a dedicated team in Scotland which will help independent businesses save money and grow.

The team, headed by Andy Ferguson based in Kinross, aims to grow the company’s Scottish customer base by 33 per cent by the end of 2017, through an ambitious expansion plan that will see it recruit a new team member every month.

He will lead a team of experts spanning the breadth of the country.

Handepay will offer a range of card machines to suit all businesses, all of which accept contactless payment, including Apple Pay and Android Pay, plus e-commerce and business cash advances.

The business, which earlier this year had already announced expansion plans including taking on a further 50 employees over 12 months, supports 28,000 independent UK businesses.

In 2015 it partnered with a global payment acquirer and payment service provider.

Mark Latham, Handepay director, said: “While we’ve had a business presence and customers in Scotland for 10 years now, this is the first time that we’ve had a dedicated team that is permanently based there.

"Their focus is to help Scotland’s thriving community of independent businesses to save money on their current transaction fees and help those still looking to take card payment, to capitalise on the rise of cashless transactions."

Andy Ferguson added: “I’m delighted to join the Handepay team in Scotland and look forward to achieving the same levels of success that the business has seen throughout the rest of the UK.

"With our growing team of experienced and professional people, I’m confident that we’ll more than surpass our goals.”

For more information, see handepay.co.uk