Data Sharing and Standardization Technology Provider Validis Strengthens Public Relations Efforts by Partnering with William Mills Agency

By William Mills Agency August 15, 2018

 validis-logoValidis, a pioneer of data sharing and standardization technology used by three of the big four accounting firms and 80 percent of the Tier 1 banks in the U.K., has partnered with William Mills Agency, the largest independent public relations and marketing firm specializing in the financial industry.
Validis is changing how financial institutions lend to businesses. The unique technology provides an efficient way for lenders to acquire a small business borrower’s financial data by connecting them directly to the borrower’s accounting application. In just minutes, lenders receive current, complete data in a consistent format allowing for fast, confident lending decisions. There is no configuration by the lender or preparation by the borrower required. With Validis, financial institutions gain a complete view of the borrower’s financial health which empowers lenders to deliver real insights to customers.

Validis is led by board members and a senior management team who have more than 230 years of combined experience in financial services and technology. The Validis board is headed by Don Robert, former CEO of Experian, Lindsey McMurray, founder of Pollen Street Capital, and Joe Schull who brings over 20 years of experience and also serves as head of Europe for private equity firm Warburg Pincus (“WP”) and chairman of Warburg Pincus International LLC. The senior management team is led by Joel Curry, who has more than 15 years of experience in software sales and led high growth businesses for Experian. Also on the senior management team is Steve Brennan, Senior Vice President of Lending Technology, who was formerly with Baker Hill and brings over 20 years of experience to the team.

Validis provides a direct connection to a business borrower’s accounting package. The financial data is encrypted, interrogated for accuracy, and standardized. Lenders receive the borrower’s data in a consistent, normalized view regardless of the accounting package. The data may be viewed in our online portal or integrated into the financial institution’s existing systems. The result is greater insights, improved decision making, and increased efficiency.

“Partnering with William Mills Agency for Public Relations was a natural decision for us as we continue rapid growth, especially in the U.S.,” said Joel Curry, CEO of Validis. “Both of our teams possess years of experience and deep ties to the financial industry. This was a key factor in our decision to partner with them, and we’re confident they will be critical to our mission as we expand and grow.”

“With more than 40 years of experience in the financial services industry, our agency has the skillset and perspective to support our clients in truly unique ways,” said William Mills, CEO of William Mills Agency. “For companies like Validis, we leverage our experience and strong industry relationships to help them better tell their story in a way that aligns with their strategic business objectives.”

About Validis

Led by experienced and influential finance and technology experts, with headquarters in the United Kingdom and offices in North America, our mission is to be the place where businesses come to share financial data. Validis provides a data pipe for commercial lenders and accountants to their clients’ accounting application.  The technology collects financial data from a business’ accounting application and transforms that data into a standardized format, empowering commercial lenders and accountants with fast and secure access to financial data. The system connects to online and desktop accounting applications used by 80 percent of the SMB market, and is currently used by three of the top four accounting firms and 80 percent of the Tier one banks in the U.K. For more information, please visit www.validis.com

About William Mills Agency

Founded in 1977, the Atlanta-based company has established its reputation in the industry through successful execution of media relations, marketing services and crisis communications campaigns for hundreds of companies ranging in size from entrepreneurial start-ups to large, publicly traded corporations throughout North America, Europe and India. For more information, please visit www.williammills.com.

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