In the world of payroll and fintech, FreshPay is making waves – not just for its innovative cloud payroll software but also for the inspiring women leading it. With International Women’s Day around the corner, we’re celebrating the brains behind FreshPay – Nicola Hageman, Jennie Gillam, and Clare Haynes – who co-founded FreshPay with a shared vision: to create a payroll solution that simplifies processes, empowers businesses, and prioritises transparency. Their journey is not just about building great cloud payroll software; it’s about breaking barriers and proving that women can lead and innovate in traditionally male-dominated industries.
The Inspiration Behind FreshPay
For Nicola, Jennie, and Clare, the payroll industry presented an opportunity to make a real impact. Having worked in finance and payroll, they had first-hand experience with the frustrations businesses faced – complex software, hidden fees, and poor customer support. Which is why they knew there had to be a better way.
Instead of waiting for someone else to fix the problem, they decided to do it themselves. Their mission was clear: to build a payroll platform that businesses and accountants could actually enjoy using and packed with the features payroll professionals truly need.
Overcoming Challenges as Female Entrepreneurs
Starting and scaling a cloud payroll software isn’t easy, and as women in a historically male-led industry, Nicola, Jennie, and Clare encountered their share of challenges. From securing funding to breaking through industry biases, they had to work twice as hard to prove their credibility.
However, their expertise and unwavering commitment to excellence spoke for themselves. By staying focused on their vision, surrounding themselves with the right team, and prioritising customer needs, they successfully turned FreshPay into a trusted payroll option for accountants and bureaus alike.
Biggest Wins and Lessons Learned
Since its launch, FreshPay has grown into a platform trusted by businesses and accountants across the UK. Some of their biggest achievements include:
- Being shortlisted for Payroll and HR Software of the Year at the annual ICB Luca Awards.
- Becoming the preferred payroll recommendation for former users of The Payroll Site.
- Partnering with leading financial and accounting tools to offer a range of useful integrations.
- Building a user-friendly cloud payroll software that saves businesses hours on payroll every month.
Through the FreshPay journey so far, they’ve learned valuable lessons: the importance of listening to customers and adapting to industry changes. Most importantly, they’ve proven that innovation doesn’t have to be complicated – sometimes, the best ideas come from simplifying what already exists!
Advice for Women in Fintech and Entrepreneurship
To women looking to break into fintech, payroll, or entrepreneurship, Nicola, Jennie, and Clare offer this advice:
- Build a strong network – Surround yourself with mentors, peers, and professionals who uplift and support your journey.
- Confront challenges – Every obstacle is an opportunity to learn and grow.
- Believe in your vision – If you see a gap in the market, don’t be afraid to fill it!
How FreshPay is Transforming Payroll
Beyond their own success, Nicola, Jennie, and Clare are committed to making cloud payroll smarter, simpler, and more inclusive. FreshPay was designed with all businesses in mind – whether you’re a small business owner, an accountant, or a payroll bureau.
By making cloud payroll software more accessible and user-friendly, they’re helping businesses save time – proving that payroll doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective.
Celebrating Women Who Lead and Innovate
As we celebrate International Women’s Day this March, the story of FreshPay’s founders serves as a powerful reminder that women are shaping the future of cloud payroll and fintech. Their journey is not just about business success, it’s about redefining what’s possible and paving the way for future generations of female entrepreneurs.
