A HAYDOCK-based card processing provider has won an award for being the fastest-growing European business of its kind.

Handepay scooped the accolade from global acquirer and payment service provider – EVO Payments International.

The company, which supports more than 28,000 independent UK businesses, won the award based on its half-year financial figures for 2017.

It is recognition of the UK processor’s service and overall contribution to the payments industry since joining EVO as an independent sales organisation two years ago.

Handepay, which employs 160 people at its headquarters off the East Lancashire Road in Haydock, is said to have “revolutionised the UK card payment market in 2015” when it entered into partnership with EVO, a leading payments service provider of merchants, financial institutions and independent software vendors

The award recognises the business Handepay has generated as a result of this model.

Mark Latham, Handepay director, says: “This award is testimony to what you can achieve with a clear and fair proposition. By very clearly putting the customer first, we’re now working with thousands of UK businesses, saving them an average of 36per cent on their current transaction fees.”

Darren Wilson, EVO President – International, commented: “The award from EVO is proof of what can be achieved with a first-class team and combined market-leading proposition.”

The award follows Handepay’s expansion into Scotland, where a team is in place to help independent businesses across the country to save money and grow.