Case Study: ICC Solutions- Department for International Trade

 

ICC Solutions provides software, test tools and certification services for the financial services sector. The test tools are certified for use with all of the major payment brands including Mastercard, Visa and American Express. 

The company was incorporated in 1996 by David and Wendy Maisey. It was a leap of faith when a gap in the payments industry was recognised by David, at a time when the UK was heading towards the ground-breaking introduction of Chip & PIN payments. Setting up the company from a back bedroom, David and a small team worked hard to make their mark on the payments industry with the vision of becoming a leader in the payments sector. 

Over the last 25 years, the company has grown both in size and reputation. Employing 40 staff, and exporting to over 100 countries, ICC Solutions is at the forefront of providing test tools to enable secure payments testing and allowing for advances in payment technology, particularly with the move to contactless transactions following the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Since incorporation, the company has won many awards – most notably four Queen’s Awards for Enterprise - two for International Trade and two for Innovation. The International Trade awards being a direct result of the high percentage of sales that are exported, particularly to North America. 

Although the company has achieved so much, it does not rest and continues to break into new markets and achieve new goals. In 2020 it was chosen as the supplier for test tools for one of the largest U.S. Acquiring Banks (already having secured a huge contract with another of the largest U.S. Acquirers in 2014). This contract is a massive opportunity and confirms that the company is still developing cutting edge technology for use within the payments industry. The future is looking bright, and the team are looking forward to increased sales, more opportunities and adding more awards to the cabinet! 

The Department for International Trade (DIT) has been providing support and opening networks, enabling the company to generate significant international growth. As a DIT Export Champion ICC Solutions has also been supporting and mentoring other businesses in their exporting journeys. 

Wendy Maisey OBE commented: 

“ICC Solutions is thrilled that, during these very testing times with the Covid-19 crisis, we’re still able to strike deals like this one in the U.S. with a major player in the payments market. It shows our ability to adapt and diversify constantly. The long-term sustainability we have has been made possible in part by a committed management team and employees. We have a vision to keep our place as an industry leader in the global payment space and keep the flag flying for the UK.” 

David Maisey OBE commented: 

“ICC Solutions remains very firmly committed to extolling the virtues of international trade, which can provide businesses with great operational and strategic resilience combined with agility. We continue to encourage other businesses, and also young people, to learn about and to assess the significant opportunities presented by exporting. During these current challenging times we are intent to carry on business as usual, delivering the best possible service to our clients in over 100 countries. Securing this significant new contract in a fiercely competitive US market, especially when both sides of the Atlantic are in Covid-19 lockdown, is a reflection of our desire and determination to make new international trade deals happen even in adverse circumstances.”