| AIB Merchant Services has been announced as the latest corporate supporter of the Champion Green movement, demonstrating the bank’s backing for SMEs and the drive to support local. |
| One of Ireland’s largest providers of business payment solutions, AIB Merchant Services already provides dedicated supports for SMEs, which are in great demand as ecommerce and omni-channel selling plays a bigger part in the future of many local businesses, post-pandemic. AIB Merchant Services works with large numbers of Irish SMEs, facilitating fast, reliable, and secure payment solutions, whilst protecting against fraud.Processing millions of payments every day means the fintech provider has both a robust portfolio of products and services and unique insights that support business development for SMEs, Jonathan Mahon, Director of SME Sales & Customer Success at AIB Merchant Services, says.“With huge growth in the use of card and payment apps, and the massive shift of Irish SMEs online during the pandemic, we know that our customers need extra support to maximise both ecommerce and in-person trade. John Hoolahan, Marketing Director at AIB Merchant Services also commented:“At AIB Merchant Services, we back our brave customers with payments and business solutions designed to fit their business needs, in-store, online, or on-the-go. In particular, our analytics, and the recent launch of AIB Merchant Services Mainstreet Insights will help businesses to use consumer data to support and drive sustainable growth”. Other corporate partners that recently committed funding and practical supports to Champion Green include Irish oil company, Maxol, print and design specialists, Snap Printing, the Aviva Life and Pensions Property Fund and An Post.The support local movement was launched in June 2020 in response to the pandemic and the challenge posed to small businesses and independent traders, in particular. Champion Green was the brainchild of Marian O’Gorman, Chairperson of Kilkenny Design, whose family business has fostered numerous Irish craft and creative enterprises in its 50 years of operation.O’Gorman says the backing of major organisations like AIB Merchant Services is crucial to both spread the Champion Green message and to practically help small business recover and thereby reinvigorate communities. Sustainable Communities“The aims of Champion Green are two-fold, and corporate backers willing to invest in sustainable communities helps us achieve them. Firstly, we encourage supporters to consciously seek out local businesses, online or in-person, and, secondly, we help SMEs to plan and market their route to recovery.”The Champion Green campaign draws attention to the fact that almost half (46.2%) of total turnover in the private sector is down to SMEs, who also account for more than two-thirds of private sector jobs.As a local retailer dealing extensively with local suppliers, Kilkenny Design appreciates the challenges, Marian O’Gorman says.“All of us have a shared interest in restoring vibrancy within local communities, and in creating sustainable jobs and industry, right across the island of Ireland”.Supported by Kilkenny Design and Visa, in association with Retail Excellence, Small Firms Association and Chambers Ireland, the Champion Green movement is backed by a €1m investment to drive consumer support for local enterprise and to help SMEs business recovery. Small business owners can register for PR and marketing supports, as well as business advice, as part of the national Champion Green campaign. Detail is available at https://championgreen.ie |
