ClearCourse acquires Not-for-Profit sector CRM and Digital specialist Protech

August 1, 2019

London | 01 August 2019 - ClearCourse Partnership LLP (“ClearCourse” or “the Partnership”), a group of innovative technology companies providing software, services and digital capabilities to the membership, events & bookings and sports & leisure sectors, today announces the acquisition of Protech (“the Company”), a leader in the provision of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software and the creation of websites specifically for Professional Awarding Bodies and Membership Organisations. Protech is ClearCourse’s 12th acquisition since October 2018, solidifying the Partnership’s position as a key player in the CRM sector.


Protech was founded in 1995 to deliver CRM software and change management services to the not for profit and public sectors from its headquarters in the West Midlands. The Company is a certified Crown Commercial Supplier on the G-Cloud 11 framework in the cloud hosting, software and support service category, meaning that its services have been carefully evaluated by the UK Government, gaining approval to work with any public sector organisation in the country. The Company utilises its best of breed ProConnect technology to deliver a broad suite of CRM and digital services to support its clients in the key areas of membership & subscriptions, qualifications & learning management and event management. Its clients include NCC Education, The Association for Project Management, The Chartered Management Institute, The Institute of Brewing and Distilling, the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors and the College of Policing, for which it led the development of a digital first strategy for professional development in policing.


ClearCourse was founded to help add value in innovative UK-based technology companies with strong management teams and complementary offerings, facilitating operational and commercial synergies and enabling cross-selling of relevant products and services. ClearCourse will provide Protech with the financial resources to continue its growth within the not-for-profit and public sectors as well as opportunities to work closely with the other Partnership companies, including NetXtra who Protech already has an established relationship with, to reach an expanded potential client base.


We look forward to supporting Protech’s ongoing growth strategy and expansion plans.

Gerry Gualtieri – CEO of ClearCourse


Gerry Gualtieri, CEO of ClearCourse, commented: “Protech is a fantastic addition to the ClearCourse Partnership as we expand our CRM offering into the not-for-profit sector. The Company has a great reputation for working closely with its peers to deliver industry leading projects to their clients, which is exactly the kind of culture we are nurturing within the Partnership. We look forward to supporting Protech’s ongoing growth strategy and expansion plans.”


Following the acquisition, Founder Mark Trouth will step down as CEO in order to take on an advisory role with the group. Going forward, the business will be led by Jenny Watkins in the new role of Managing Director. Jenny currently serves as Protech’s COO and has been with the company for over 19 years. She will take over from Mark with immediate effect and will be responsible for ongoing strategy and operations for the business.


Mark Trouth, Founder of Protech, said: “For over 20 years, Protech has been a trusted partner to NFP and public sector organisations. In that time, we have established ourselves as an industry leader. I’m really proud to have led the business to where it is today and look forward to working with Jenny and the team at ClearCourse to continue delivering the best service we can to our growing client base.”

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.”