Meet Paul Holland, founder of Beyond Encryption

Paul Holland is the CEO and founder of Beyond Encryption, a Hampshire-based company specialising in the protection of customer data through secure digital software. As the creator of the technology behind Webline, one of the UK’s most well-known comparison engines, Paul now brings his expertise to the market through Beyond Encryption’s Mailock, nigel and AssureScore solutions.

Tell us about yourself, Paul.

I’m the CEO and founder of Beyond Encryption, a secure email solution used extensively by providers and advisors within the financial industry. I’ve spent over 30 years in the Tech and FS industry, creating and working with some amazing businesses. I am born and bred in Portsmouth and have remained in the south all my life, where my wife and I have raised our sons and two dogs. 

What experience did you build prior to launching Beyond Encryption?

After completing my education with an apprenticeship in electronic engineering, I began working with a precision engineering business. They were one of the first companies to adopt PCs to explore test automation, allowing me to be exposed to tech early in my career and leading to my lifetime fascination. I then turned my attention to software development for the financial services market, where I created the technology behind Webline, the retail engine behind some of the UK’s most well-known online comparison sites, along with AllMyPlans. Webline was eventually acquired by Capita’s Financial Services Division, and AllMyPlans was acquired by Experian, leaving me to focus entirely on Beyond Encryption. 

What inspired you to launch the business, and what is the end goal?

Before creating my own companies, I held an advisory role within FS. The issues I experienced during this time with a lack of effective technology, communication security, efficiency and customer engagement made me think, ‘there must be a solution to this!’. Since then, my work has revolved around these problems and seeing how technology can solve them. Our secure email solution, Mailock, was created to enable people to communicate safely, wherever they are and with whomever they need to exchange sensitive information. The aim of Beyond Encryption as a whole has always been to build a secure network that leverages personal connections, helping to protect and build digital identity without having to reveal or transfer large amounts of personal data. 

What’s the most common problem your customers approach you with?

Consumer expectation has risen dramatically in the past few years, requiring companies to make large changes at an extraordinary pace. We frequently find that businesses are struggling to find a solution that not only allows them to securely communicate the correct information to the right party, but also does so in a way that doesn’t place barriers and interrupt workflows. Tech is a powerful beast and can achieve some amazing results for companies, with the most sophisticated being incredibly clever, but if no one can use it, then what’s the point? Businesses want a system that offers the complete package, without disrupting process efficiency and creating friction for them or their customers. 

How do you set yourself apart from other businesses in your industry?

A combination of extraordinary tech, amazing people, and strong culture. A great product is nothing without a fantastic team behind it, and we are blessed to have both. We look at the problems organisations and consumers face at a much more granular level than other businesses, placing a deep focus on consumer feedback and industry insights to try and solve deep-rooted problems. We also know exactly what we want and are not afraid to go after it, with a clear mission statement and passion that drives everything we do. 

What plans do you have for Beyond Encryption over the next two years?

Without revealing our hand too early, let’s just say we have big expansion plans in the works. In the past 12 months we have already begun to set this in motion, bringing onboard new team members and completely revamping our branding. In the next few years, we plan to surface new clever thinking and ideas that take us closer to solving core problems in the industry, so watch this space. 

Thinking about the future, do you have any strategic partnerships or upgrades in the pipeline?

Our strategy has been to work with the primary players in the FS sector that drive the market and underpin its functions. We are fortunate to be partnered with industry giants, such as Paragon Customer Communications (PCC) and Origo Services, both of whom share our passion for connecting and empowering financial services. We are now cementing our position with these and other best of breed partners, setting the stage to become ubiquitous within the industry and maintain our position as the primary system within FS. While driving forward these current relationships, we also have some significant and exciting partnerships in the works, so you may be seeing some announcements very shortly. 

Why do you think your business has had such a positive impact across your industry?

With the pandemic causing a digital shift and the growth of remote working, everyone has become more concerned with the ownership of their data, aligned with a growing fear of what can happen if it falls into the wrong hands. During this time, Beyond Encryption has helped organisations of all sizes and their clients to connect safely, with Mailock ensuring that outbound emails are protected, facilitating secure communication exchanges and ensuring internal processes remain seamless. This has meant that employees can do their jobs without stress or barriers, and consumers can share their personal information without being concerned about the safety of their data. 

What advice would you give some looking to enter the fintech industry as an entrepreneur?

Prepare yourself for an extensive journey. The financial industry is one of the oldest and most established industries in the world, and it can be a tough nut to crack, but when you manage it is incredibly worthwhile. Consider very carefully how you are going to open up the market, get the right team behind you, and keep pushing. 

How do you believe the evolution of tech will impact financial services over the next 10 years?

I strongly believe we are in for some massive change. We have already seen how challenger banks have disrupted a market previously dominated by institutions hundreds of years old. They have been able to make a real difference and achieve significant adoption in a short period of time, opening people’s eyes to how tech can offer greater convenience to both businesses and consumers. The new generation will have much to offer in digital innovation, as they have grown up in a world saturated by technology, setting the bar for the expected level of tech capabilities they demand from all industries. 

Why do you think now is the right time for the world to begin exploring and adopting technology that aids sustainability?

Because we have to. COP26 urged businesses, especially those in financial services, to act now towards negating climate change, with the latest IPCC climate report revealing that we are rapidly running out of time to keep the 1.5 degrees goal feasible. If the threat to our planet wasn’t enough of a push, we are also seeing a massive consumer drive behind sustainable practices. For Businesses, going green is no longer a competitive advantage - it is a strategic must. Those who do not change their ways will lose customers rapidly to businesses that take sustainability more seriously. There is a rapidly decreasing acceptance of companies who are not prepared to embrace greener initiatives, with organisations needing to demonstrate that they are no longer thinking of just themselves, but the planet too.