EXCLUSIVE: “Good Vibes” – Miranda McLean, Ecommpay in ‘The Paytech Magazine’

Ecommpay is leading the charge for accessibility and inclusivity in payments. It’s not just a moral obligation… it’s good business sense

Inclusivity. Accessibility. Sustainability.

Three powerful words. But they are sometimes seen as being at odds with another: profitability.

That’s not how Ecommpay sees it. In fact, the global payments provider has set out to demonstrate that being mindful about how you support customers, employees and wider society can drive revenue and returns, not undermine them. Founded to tackle financial exclusion through the payments system, the company launched a new programme in 2024, Ecommpay For Good, which doubles down on its efforts to create a more equitable society.

It took the opportunity to refresh its brand identity and ensure its own platforms – including its website, mobile SDKs, and payment pages – were fully accessible by collaborating with the Digital Accessibility Centre (DAC) to align with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.2 AA standards. It hopes to achieve certification by Q2 2025.

Crucially, the programme empowers other businesses to offer similarly accessible, inclusive, and sustainable solutions that cater to all customers. Merchants can, for example, access a free, publicly available online Guide to Digital Accessibility, produced in partnership with the DAC, which provides step-by-step advice on improving website accessibility to WCAG 2.2 AA standards. That’s not just a morally good thing to do.

Studies have shown that optimising online accessibility alone can increase web traffic by 23 to 24 per cent and enable merchants to unlock what’s known as the ‘purple pound’, the spending power of people with disabilities and their households. That opportunity is estimated to be worth £274billion in the UK and $8trillion globally.

We Are Purple, organisers of the global campaign day Purple Tuesday, says this sales opportunity is increasing by 14 per cent a year, but only one in 10 businesses has a targeted strategy for reaching the ‘purple pound’ segment. In fact, its surveys show 75 per cent of disabled people and their families have moved away from a business because of poor accessibility or customer service.

Far from being a minority, as many as 22 per cent of the population are experiencing disability at any given time, including those recovering from long-term illness. That’s more than one billion people worldwide who routinely have their life chances limited by poor access to financial services. On the other hand, research also reveals that disabled consumers are willing to pay more for accessible user experiences. By enhancing accessibility, businesses can boost customer loyalty and drive additional revenue, argues Ecommpay.

Its message to merchants is that designing services with this, the biggest minority group in the world – or any excluded demographic – in mind creates a competitive edge by enhancing user experience. And that’s good for everyone.

Inside/out approach to improvement

Ecommpay hopes its leadership in this area will inspire others in the payments industry to embrace accessibility, sparking broader change. It has joined the UK government’s Disability Confident scheme, which encourages employers to think differently about disability and take action to improve how they recruit, retain and develop disabled people. It has also launched mandatory training on unconscious bias and is about to roll out neurodiversity training to all employees, also making this available to any merchant that wants to participate. But it’s certainly not stopping there.

“We believe that equal access to information and services online should be a given, not a privilege”

Miranda McLean, CMO

As an organisation, Ecommpay is taking a holistic approach to improving its own systems and services, setting an example for others to follow. And, potentially, that’s a big audience. Ecommpay already offers global and local acquiring, with more than 180 payment methods, payments processing and orchestration on one platform and via a single API. Central to its philosophy is to continuously build essential capabilities like orchestration, open banking, recurring billing and direct debits directly into its platform, eliminating the need for third-party systems while streamlining operations, and reducing costs and friction for its clients.

At the heart of its business is a commitment to financial freedom and accessibility for all, which it strives to achieve by pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in payments. That’s embodied in a platform where everyone feels empowered, connected, secure, and free to choose their preferred payment methods.

This approach to financial inclusivity extends beyond its day-to-day operations. It’s reflected in the partnerships struck last year with organisations like the European Women in Payments Network (EWPN), Project Nemo, the RNIB and Purple Tuesday to address a wide range of accessibility and inclusion challenges within the fintech and payments sectors.

EWPN, for example, is a non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering women in fintech and payments across Europe. As the only pan-European community for women in the industry, it creates valuable opportunities for women and minorities, championing diversity and inclusion.

Project Nemo, led by The Payments Association ambassador Joanne Dewar, is a grassroots initiative focussed on raising awareness about the crucial role of accessibility in the industry. Through its involvement in these and other initiatives, Ecommpay reinforces the message that accessibility is not merely a regulatory obligation but also a long-term opportunity for success.

“While only five per cent of payment businesses prioritise environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives, Ecommpay is leading the way,” says its Chief Marketing Officer Miranda McLean. “Ecommpay’s rebrand represents more than just a new logo – it symbolises the company’s ambitious vision for the future,” she adds. “As the global payments market expands, Ecommpay is positioning itself to play a major role.

“The new brand identity is dynamic and adaptable, reflecting the company’s mission to provide customisable solutions that meet the diverse needs of both businesses and their customers.”

Moving forward: a future built on inclusion

Ecommpay’s rebrand and the Ecommpay For Good initiative are key steps toward building a more inclusive financial ecosystem. The company is paving the way for businesses to thrive while ensuring equal access to services for all customers, regardless of ability.

“We believe that equal access to information and services online should be a given, not a privilege,” says McLean. “As the digital economy evolves, Ecommpay is committed to making this vision a reality, creating an environment where businesses can grow while ensuring equal access for everyone.”

It believes that as businesses work to offer seamless digital experiences, integrating accessibility into every customer touchpoint has become essential. For Ecommpay, accessibility is not just a moral obligation but an economic necessity. By making digital
services accessible, businesses can unlock new markets and enhance revenue while promoting inclusivity. And it’s driving this transformation by helping businesses understand how to harness the power of accessibility.

“With its pioneering approach, Ecommpay is laying the foundation for a future where the digital economy is open to all – regardless of ability, creating a more equitable digital economy,” adds McLean. “Through innovation, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to diversity, the company is leading the charge in building a payments ecosystem that works for everyone.”

The future of fintech lies in accessibility. The revolution has already begun – and it’s inclusive.

This article was published in The Paytech Magazine Issue 16, Page 18-19