ClearCourse acquires leading cloud-based CRM software provider BrightOffice

August 29, 2019

London | 29 August 2019 - ClearCourse Partnership LLP (“ClearCourse” or “the Group”), a group of innovative technology companies providing digital services, work-flow solutions, and payments capabilities to the membership, events & bookings, sports & lifestyle and business services sectors, today announces the acquisition of BrightOffice (“the Company”). BrightOffice is a leading SaaS company providing hosted, enterprise Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software solutions to many different business sectors. The Company is ClearCourse’s 14th acquisition since October 2018 and an expansion of its business services offering.


BrightOffice was founded in 2004. Since then, it has developed a highly customisable cloud-based, SaaS CRM platform upon which it can build specialised CRM products bespoke to the requirements of its c. 300 clients. BrightOffice serves a broad range of public and private businesses across a number of sectors including financial services, energy, training and job management, and property. The platform is highly scalable making it suitable for businesses or organisations of any size, from single users to multi-user, multi-site companies. Depending on the client’s needs, the specialised CRM products can include prospecting services, process management, sales accounts, financial management, file management, webmail & integrated calendars, and e-marketing & automatic text messaging services. BrightOffice is a certified Crown Commercial Service supplier, using G-Cloud framework in the cloud hosting, software and support service category.


With ClearCourse’s backing, BrightOffice will receive strategic and operational guidance, as well as financial resources to support further product development and market growth. The Company will gain access to proprietary technologies from across the Group, including payments processing capabilities and best in class data validation. BrightOffice’s dedicated management team will continue to run the Company, led by its Founder, Paul Groome, working closely with ClearCourse to achieve the next stage of growth.


The team at BrightOffice has worked tirelessly to earn our market-leading position as a trusted partner to a wide range of companies across multiple sectors, from financial services to renewable energy.


Paul Groome – Managing Director, BrightOffice


Gerry Gualtieri, CEO of ClearCourse, said: “BrightOffice is a terrific addition to ClearCourse as we continue to build our presence in the CRM and business services sectors. It’s expansive range of solutions catering to the business management sectors presents great opportunities to realise operational synergies with the other partnership companies, particularly around the provision of payments systems and data validation. We’re excited that BrightOffice has chosen us as a partner to achieve its ambitious growth plans and we look forward to working with Paul and his team to make them a reality.”


Paul Groome, Founder of BrightOffice, commented: “Over the past 15 years, the team at BrightOffice has worked tirelessly to earn our market-leading position as a trusted partner to a wide range of companies across multiple sectors, from financial services to renewable energy. Our bespoke products are renowned for their efficiency and simplicity and our team is dedicated to providing clients with the best possible service. By joining ClearCourse, we see an opportunity to build upon those successes, developing further innovative products, creating more value for our clients and accelerating the growth of our business.”

A member of staff at a farm shop smiles as she operates an EPOS terminal

Software and Payments Specialist ClearCourse Acquires Cloud-Based Retail Software Provider, Davidson Richards

July 29, 2025
LONDON 29 July 2025: ClearCourse, the provider of industry-specific software and embedded payment solutions for SMEs, announces the acquisition of Davidson Richards, a leading retail management and EPOS (electronic point of sale) systems provider. Davidson Richards provides cloud-based management and EPOS systems tailored to the retail industry. Founded in 1977 and based in Derby, Davidson Richards launched its flagship product, OpSuite, in 2012 after recognising the need to address gaps left by off-the-shelf products. Today, OpSuite enables retailers to centralise and streamline operations by integrating with core systems such as accounting software, eCommerce platforms, mobile and loyalty applications, and warehousing. Trusted by many leading garden centres – a sector where OpSuite has established a strong reputation – its extensive functionality also makes it suitable for a broad range of sectors, including grocery, fashion, and furniture. Joining the ClearCourse group will enable Davidson Richards to expand their offerings, providing customers with in-house payment and eCommerce solutions. By offering these in partnership with other specialist ClearCourse companies, Davidson Richards will be able to focus on building new client relationships and to profile the benefits of OpSuite to new retail market segments. Led by a long-serving expert team including ex-retailers, Davidson Richards offers its clients consultancy, training, bespoke development and dedicated in-house support. Their customer centric approach means that many of the Davidson Richards team are directly involved in technical or support delivery for clients to provide greater value to its clients. ClearCourse aims to become the engine powering small and medium businesses across the UK by putting big tech solutions in the hands of founders and their growing businesses. Davidson Richards offers a clear opportunity for ClearCourse to deepen its presence in the retail sector, and its long-standing, loyal customer base and experienced team closely align with ClearCourse’s culture and values. Christina Hamilton, CEO of ClearCourse said: “We are delighted to welcome Davidson Richards into the ClearCourse group as part of our Retail & Hospitality Software vertical. OpSuite is a market leading product that is well positioned to expand its innovative offering into new sectors. We are excited about the natural integration this partnership enables, as OpSuite will be able to offer in-house payment and other commerce enabling solutions through the wider ClearCourse group products.” Keith Bateman, Sales Director at Davidson Richards said: “This acquisition marks an exciting new chapter for our business and customers. Joining the ClearCourse group will enable us to enhance the service we offer our customers, particularly through the introduction of an in-house Electronic Funds Transfer solution. ClearCourse is the ideal partner to help us to grow the business through an increased investment into marketing and to reach more customers.”

ClearCourse welcomes new Chief Financial Officer, Sacha Bielawski

June 25, 2025
LONDON, 25 June 2025 : ClearCourse, a provider of industry-specific software and embedded payment solutions for SMEs and targeted enterprises, today announced the appointment of Sacha Bielawski as Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. Sacha will lead ClearCourse’s financial strategy, working with senior leaders to accelerate organic growth, drive profitable sales, and deliver the company’s goal of being a leading engine powering small and mid-sized businesses across the UK. Before joining ClearCourse, Sacha spent nearly nine years as Chief Financial Officer at Coople, a leading digital staffing agency, where he led corporate expansion initiatives and oversaw the Group’s financial strategy. He has also held senior roles within private equity and investment firms, where he focused on identifying and scaling high-potential businesses through strategic M&A, financial restructuring and investment projects across Europe and the US. Sacha builds on the achievements of Mark Grafton who will be leaving the company later this month. “We’re delighted to welcome Sacha Bielawski as ClearCourse’s new CFO at this exciting time in the company’s continued evolution” said Christina Hamilton, CEO. “His extensive expertise in scaling businesses, leading growth acceleration programmes and driving innovation and efficiency will be instrumental in delivering our next phase of growth.” “I am delighted to join ClearCourse at such a pivotal time in its journey,” Sacha Bielawski said . “I believe the company is well-positioned to capitalise on the convergence of software and payments, an accelerating trend that presents compelling organic growth opportunities over the coming years. “As ClearCourse continues to acquire software companies in high growth verticals, I look forward to leveraging my entrepreneurial experience to engage with business owners considering a partnership with ClearCourse and to support them post-acquisition to grow further within our platform. “ClearCourse is a business with significant potential, and I am excited to contribute to its next chapter of growth and long-term value creation.”