Accel-KKR backs AccessPay in Manchester growth push
AccessPay has secured a majority investment from Accel-KKR.
The deal gives the Manchester-based bank integration and payment automation company fresh backing as it looks to expand services for large corporate customers, develop new products and consider acquisitions.
AccessPay provides software that links back-office finance systems with banks. Its products automate payment flows, bank statement retrieval and related financial data processes for finance and treasury teams.
The investment comes as finance leaders face pressure from higher costs, cyber risk and AI-driven changes to operating models. The funding is intended to help AccessPay meet rising demand from enterprise clients that need services to operate reliably at scale.
A late-2025 McKinsey survey cited by AccessPay found that 44% of chief financial officers had identified five or more AI use cases in their organisations. The company argues that structured payments and bank data are essential if finance teams are to automate more of their work.
Growth plans
Accel-KKR is a software-focused investment firm with more than USD $23 billion in cumulative capital commitments. It invests in software and technology-enabled businesses across buyouts, minority growth investments and credit alternatives.
For AccessPay, the transaction marks the latest stage in a growth story that began in Manchester in 2012. The company says thousands of businesses use its platform to automate supplier and client payments, direct debit collections and bank statement retrieval.
The new ownership structure is also expected to support acquisitions, giving AccessPay scope to pursue strategic deals in its next phase of expansion.
Phil Cunningham, Managing Director at Accel-KKR, said AccessPay plays a crucial role in optimising finance operations by increasing automation, improving cash visibility, and reducing the risk of fraud and error. He added that the company has a reputation for strong customer service.
Cunningham said AccessPay also fits closely with Accel-KKR's broader focus on software for finance functions.
"The company aligns closely with our portfolio of investments, delivering mission-critical solutions to the office of the CFO, and we look forward to supporting CEO Anish Kapoor and his team," he said.
Fintech market
The transaction adds to deal activity in Greater Manchester's financial technology sector. The region's fintech market contributes more than GBP £1 billion to the UK economy, according to figures cited by AccessPay.
Anish Kapoor will remain chief executive of AccessPay following the investment. He said the company had been seeking a backer with experience in enterprise software as it prepared for its next stage of growth.
"As a scale-up business preparing for its next growth phase, AccessPay was looking for an investor with a track record in enterprise software investment. Accel-KKR was the standout choice for us thanks to its experience in technology investing and domain expertise. Its backing not only means we can innovate at scale, but, as a platform investment, opens the door to pursue accelerated growth through acquisition. We are confident in what both firms can develop together and the role we can play in shaping the future of finance and treasury operations," Kapoor said.
Royal Park Partners acted as exclusive strategic and financial adviser to AccessPay on the transaction.