Two New Heavyweight Board-Level Appointments

TiPJAR ANNOUNCES TWO HEAVYWEIGHT BOARD-LEVEL APPOINTMENTS

New Chair Ben Hood, Founder of Fourth, and Non-Executive Director Michel Cassius, Former CEO at Bookatable, Have Joined the UK’s #1 Tips & Tronc Distribution Platform, Following £4.5million Investment by YFM Equity Partners Last Month.

TiPJARthe platform transforming how hospitality operators collect, distribute and allocate tips and service charge, has strengthened its leadership team with two significant board-level appointments. The news follows its £4.5 million investment from YFM Equity Partners, announced last month, and comes at a pivotal time for the hospitality industry as operators face growing pressures around compliance, payroll costs, recruitment and retention.

New Chair, Ben Hood, brings decades of senior leadership and technology expertise, including over ten years at Tesco before building data-led software business, Fourth Hospitality. Under his leadership, Fourth expanded to over 60 countries over a 20-year period, completing seven acquisitions in that time, and built partnerships with major brands such as Hilton, Wagamama, Pizza Express, Stonegate, Greene King and Intercontinental. In addition to TiPJAR, Hood is also involved in a series of other disruptive companies, as well as labour management tool, S4, food data and menu management company Nutritics, superyacht software company Voly, and payment management platform Bopay  

“At its core, TiPJAR is about fairness and transparency. When teams understand how tips are distributed - and that they directly benefit from the service they deliver - it can change behaviour in a positive way. At the same time, operators are protected from a legislative perspective, which gives real peace of mind. “I’m very much people-first, and as Chair I will look to make sure, through the CEO, that the team is clear on where they’re heading and that every key decision moves them closer to the goal. “With YFM’s backing, we have the resources to accelerate and create real momentum. When you combine pace with alignment, great things can happen.”
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Ben Hood
Chair - TiPJAR

Alongside Hood’s appointmentTiPJAR welcomes Michel Cassius to its board as Non-Executive Director. Cassius has held senior leadership roles at global technology giants such as AppleMicrosoft and EA, and has led high-growth consumer and software businesses including CEO at Michelin’s reservation tech arm, Bookatable, and CMO at employee engagement app, Blink.  

“I am always impressed by entrepreneurs who have managed to find a very strong market-fit for their product or services. TiPJAR is one of those businesses. They have achieved a lot since their inception, their growth is impressive in the UK, and they have the ambition to become the platform of choice for tipping globally. With the recent investment from YFM, they now have the means to make bold decisions and moves that should put them on an even stronger growth trajectory. The team is not only energised and dedicated to the cause; they come with the sector experience that gives them the credibility and the resilience to get there. They are also a great bunch of people”.
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Michel Cassius
Non Executive Director - TiPJAR

TiPJAR’s recent equity investment comes at a time when hospitality businesses are facing ever-growing headwinds, with increased costs, national insurance, and unpredictable consumer behaviour.

The products and services TiPJAR provide alleviate administrative headaches, and reducNational Insurance contributions, benefiting businesses, and supporting hard-working hospitality workers that act as the engine room of the British economy. 

“We’re delighted to welcome Ben and Michel to our senior leadership team. Following our recent investment from YFM, we’re now focused on strengthening our business, expanding our product offering, and extending our reach into new territories - Ben and Michel joining us will be a significant support for that next phase of growth. Both bring exceptional experience in technology, operations and scaling high-growth businesses, and they’ve already made a great impression on our team. We’re excited to have them on board as we continue building the future of transparent, trustworthy tipping.”
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Ben Thomas
CEO - TiPJAR

How TiPJAR Can Help Hospitality Operators Navigate the NICs Threshold Changes

How TiPJAR Can Help Hospitality Operators Navigate the NICs Threshold Changes

A thought leadership piece by Dan Hawkie, Chief Commercial Officer at TiPJAR
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The UK hospitality sector is facing yet another financial challenge, with over 774,000 hospitality workers set to be dragged into the new National Insurance Contributions (NICs) threshold from April 2025. This shift will cost the industry a staggering £1 billion, according to UKHospitality. As a sector already grappling with cost pressures, workforce challenges, and regulatory changes, these new NICs rules could significantly impact businesses’ bottom lines and ability to operate efficiently.

At TiPJAR, we understand the critical challenges this presents for hospitality operators. With the new Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act already creating ripples across the industry, operators need practical, compliant solutions to mitigate risks and streamline their operations. That’s where TiPJAR comes in. 

Here’s how we can help:

1. Automating Tronc Processes to Reduce NICs Impact

One of the key pain points for operators is managing Tronc schemes—a complex area that’s critical to ensuring compliance with NICs rules. TiPJAR’s automated Tronc solutions:

  • Eliminate Manual Errors: By automating the distribution of tips and service charges, we reduce the administrative burden and ensure accuracy in NICs reporting.
  • Reduce NICs Liability: Our compliant Tronc system ensures that eligible tips are excluded from employer NICs, reducing financial strain.
  • Enhance Transparency: Our platform provides clear, real-time reporting for both operators and team members, fostering trust and reducing disputes.
2. Increasing Tips as a Supplemental Income Source

With the NICs threshold changes, offering team members a supplemental income stream has never been more crucial. TiPJAR’s technology allows businesses to:

  • Boost Team Earnings: Empower employees to collect digital tips directly from customers, increasing their take-home pay without raising operational costs.
  • Drive Team Motivation: Higher tips lead to happier, more motivated teams, resulting in better customer experiences.
  • Simplify Tip Distribution: Our platform ensures tips are distributed fairly and transparently, improving staff satisfaction and retention.
3. Ensuring Compliance with the New Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act

Compliance is a top priority for operators as the new Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act takes effect. TiPJAR’s platform ensures:

  • Legal Compliance: Tips and service charges are allocated fairly and in line with the law, reducing the risk of fines or legal challenges.
  • Audit-Ready Records: Our system provides detailed records of tip allocation, ready for audit at any time.
  • Peace of Mind: Operators can focus on running their business, knowing their tip distribution complies with the latest regulations.
Facing Challenges Together

The upcoming NICs changes are undoubtedly a significant challenge for the hospitality sector, but they also present an opportunity to rethink and optimise how tips and Tronc schemes are managed. At TiPJAR, we’re committed to supporting operators through this period of transition, helping them stay compliant, reduce costs, and keep their teams motivated.

If you’re looking to future-proof your business against these changes, get in touch with us today to learn how TiPJAR can help.

Book A Demo

Book a chat with us today and hear how TiPJAR® software can help your business grow!

Meet TiPJAR: Your Pub’s Best Friend

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Pubs & Bars

Meet TiPJAR: Your Pub’s & Bar's Best Friend

do you Run a Leased & tenanted (L&T) site? Sign up for TiPJAR before 30th June and get 3 months free!

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Supporting Leased & Tenanted Pubs: Why TiPJAR is a Game-Changer for the Industry

With the upcoming April 2025 Budget, we know pubs will be among the hardest-hit businesses. At TiPJAR, we want to support the industry. After listening to operators’ real concerns at the KAM Leased and Tenanted event, we’ve put together a fantastic offer to help your licensees manage their tronc and tips while keeping their teams motivated during this challenging period.

TiPJAR is transforming the pub and bar industry by offering a modern, transparent, and efficient way to handle tips—benefiting staff, customers, and owners alike. It ensures tips are allocated directly to staff, boosting transparency, trust, and morale while reducing turnover.

By simplifying tipping and eliminating cash handling, TiPJAR streamlines operations, saves time, and reduces administrative burdens for managers. It also ensures compliance with tax laws, lowering legal risks and guaranteeing tips are managed correctly. Plus, businesses gain valuable insights into tipping patterns and customer behavior, helping them make informed decisions.

Ultimately, TiPJAR enhances the working environment for staff, improves the customer experience, and drives operational efficiency. As pubs navigate the impact of the April 2025 Budget, TiPJAR is a vital tool to help them thrive in a competitive market.

TiPJAR® Accounts
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Registered Users
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Tips Processed Annually
£ 0.1 M+
Transactions
1 M+

Why TiPJAR? Because Your Pub Deserves More!

100% Compliant

With TiPJAR you know you are 100% compliant with the Fair Tips Act

Mitigate risk of NI contributions

By being 100% compliant you also mitigate the risk of NI contributions and employee tribunials

save thousands

Save thousands on 13.8% employer national insurance contributions

save time and resources

Save time and resource and minimise human error by automating the whole process

Increased retention

Better attract, engage and retain your team members with fair and transparent tipping and weekly payouts

Improve service levels

Improve service levels and increase upsells with tips directly linked to performance

The products for your business

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TiPJAR connect

With TiPJAR Connect, we bring effortless integration into your existing card machines or apps, enabling a single transaction experience for your customers.

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Tap to tip machines

TAP TO TIP™ provides your customers with a convenient way to express their appreciation for impeccable service.

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Digital Tipping

With our transparent Distribution Engine, funds are distributed fairly based on hours worked, and who was working at the time the tip was received.

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Supertronc

Revolutionising the way businesses share card tips and service charge

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Digital Tipping

Perfect for small venues and takeaways

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Tap To Tip™

Perfect for independent pubs, bars and coffee shops

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Supertronc

Revolutionising the way businesses share card tips and service charge

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TiPJAR Connect™

Plug & play into your existing tech stack

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TiPJAR Labs™

Our rails for tipping, in your apps

Driving positive feedback

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Since the introduction of TiPJAR, BrewDog has seen a significant increase in mystery diner feedback points, reflecting a remarkable improvement in customer experience. The mystery diner scores increased by 15%. This impressive leap can be attributed to the heightened engagement and motivation among BrewDog’s staff. With the introduction of TiPJAR, employees have become more invested in delivering exceptional service, and creating memorable experiences for every guest.

At BrewDog, it’s recognised that customers are the lifeblood of the business, but it’s the dedicated team that ensures those customers return time and time again.

Discover the full impact TiPJAR had on brewdog

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Tips vs Tronc, what’s right for me?

At TiPJAR we try and break it into two areas: 

Tronc– Effectively employer received tips, tips that are physically taken by the business (credit card tips, service charge or even cash taken in the “till”). The business is liable for the taxation and potentially National Insurance on this format of tips. 

Cash/cash equivalent tips – traditional cash tips that team members decide on where it goes, whether it goes straight into their pocket or in a shared pot to be divided amongst the team OR digitally received tips that do not hit the business accounts. The business is not liable for tax or National Insurance on these tips. 

TiPJAR’s guidance for dealing with either set of tips: 

Tronc – This is where you need to comply with The Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act that goes live on 1st October. You don’t have to go with an external troncmaster to comply but there are big benefits, as detailed by the testimonials you saw in my previous email. 

Cash equivalent tips – In a “cashless society” most operators have decided to implement tronc schemes BUT there are other options. TiPJAR has HMRC clearance on a number of cash equivalent format tips with our Tap to Tip devices, integrations to app or credit card machines and digital tipping which means that you and your teams are not missing out on the benefits of what higher tip volumes bring.  

Ready to take the next step?

Are you ready to enhance employee satisfaction, boost retention rates, and optimise tip distribution in your hospitality business? Take the first step towards achieving these goals with TiPJAR. Our innovative platform empowers businesses like yours to create fair and transparent environments while maximising staff earnings. Don’t let outdated processes hold you back – schedule a demo today to see how TiPJAR can revolutionise your operations and elevate your team’s success!

Book A Demo

Book a chat with us today and hear how TiPJAR® software can help your business grow!