Client: Hyve Group (UK-based global organiser of exhibitions, conferences, and business events)
Service Area: Payment Strategy & Merchant Acquiring Optimisation
Client Testimonial
“This project delivered exactly what we set out to achieve: a simplified, future-proof, global payment processing solution aligned to our growth strategy. Oxygen ran a rigorous and efficient process that allowed us to secure a positive commercial outcome with minimal distraction to our teams, delivering tangible savings and long-term strategic value for the business.”
— James Warsop, CFO, Hyve Group
The Challenge & Engagement As a private-equity-backed business mobilised for rapid growth and active M&A, Hyve took significant customer payments via credit card across multiple international brands (including Bett, Shoptalk, and HLTH). Successive acquisitions had left the business with disparate merchant acquiring arrangements, fragmented contracts, and multiple providers across different jurisdictions.
Hyve mandated Oxygen Consultancy to run a fully outsourced global review and end-to-end RFP process across four merchant acquiring providers to consolidate operations and secure economies of scale.
Key Solutions & Strategic Priorities
- End-to-End RFP Management: Managed the full RFP and provider selection process, delivering data-backed recommendations for final sign-off by Hyve’s CFO.
- Contract & Solution Consolidation: Replaced disparate regional agreements with a single, strategic global merchant acquiring partner across all markets.
- Commercial Negotiation: Eliminated unnecessary service charges and structured future-proof terms aligned with Hyve’s ongoing growth strategy.
The Result
- Over 15% Reduction in Acquiring Costs: Direct bottom-line savings that materially enhanced enterprise value under private equity ownership.
- Operational Simplification: A consolidated, unified payment infrastructure that reduced internal administrative friction and eliminated regional contract sprawl.
Oxygen Perspective
“By outsourcing the end-to-end RFP process to Oxygen, Hyve was able to consolidate to a single, strategic global acquiring solution with a partner that genuinely reflects their needs today and in the future. While the cost reductions were meaningful, they were a natural outcome of optimisation and simplification.”
— David Brook, Managing Director, Oxygen Consultancy
