ClearCourse acquires two payments businesses Adelante and E-Novations

October 6, 2020

London | 06 October 2020 - ClearCourse Partnership LLP (“ClearCourse” or “the Group”), a group of innovative technology companies providing useful, integrated software solutions to businesses around the world, today announces the acquisition of two UK based payments businesses, Adelante and E-Novations. The acquisitions are ClearCourse’s 19th and 20th, marking a major milestone in its expansion and bolstering its payments capabilities.


Adelante was founded in 1998, and provides a diverse range of credit and debit card payment solutions through its ConnectPay gateway. The platform allows its clients to process payments online, over the phone or through a smartphone app, and through its bespoke recurring card payment hardware system. Reticent of the diverse needs of individual companies, Adelante does not take a one-size-fits-all approach, instead allowing its clients to choose which elements of its product suite are the best fit for them. Adelante’s clients comprise of well-known high-street retailers, local authorities, and membership organisations including Ann Summers, Scholastic and Surrey Heath Council.


Darrell Bluck, Managing Director of Adelante said: “I’m incredibly proud of what the Adelante team has achieved over the past 22 years. We have secured a position as one of the UK’s most successful payments processing businesses, facilitating nearly nine million transactions a year. We were ready to take the business to the next level and in ClearCourse we see the ideal partner to drive further growth at a rate that matches our ambitions. I’m looking forward to working closely with Gerry and the team to deliver the best possible payments solutions to our clients.”


Adelante and E-Novations will become an important part of our evolving payments solutions


Gerry Gualtieri – CEO, ClearCourse


E-Novations is a global provider of EPOS (electronic point of sale) software and hardware to the retail and hospitality sectors. Founded in 2000 and with offices in the UK, Hong Kong, India and UAE, it provides clients with digital payment collection solutions, comprising cloud-based dashboards and automated processing that integrate seamlessly with its proprietary payment terminals. It also offers 24/7 consultancy services and support to its global customer base which includes the NHS, Rugby Haven, CostCutter, and Moorfields Eye Hospital.


Manoj Jethwa, Founder and CEO of E-Novations commented: “ClearCourse is an innovative company that has emerged as a leader in the payments and technology sector in the UK. As we planned our expansion, we realised that growth would require opportunities to globally scale our business. ClearCourse has a large portfolio of complementary businesses through which we can realise numerous operational synergies. Working together, we are certain that E-Novations and ClearCourse can make an impact on the payments processing sector.”


The two companies join a rapidly growing family of complementary businesses that have payments functions at their core. ClearCourse has already demonstrated the ability to integrate its Group companies technology to create synergies and realise operational efficiencies, including integrating direct debit functionalities into its CRM systems.


Gerry Gualtieri, CEO of ClearCourse, commented: “Both these new acquisitions represent an exciting point in our journey. Now comprised of 20 companies, we have built one of the largest groups of technology companies in the UK, serving hundreds of thousands of end users around the world. Adelante and E-Novations will become an important part of our evolving payments solutions, enabling us to integrated workflow and payments capabilities to our clients and delivering both operational and cost benefits.”

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.”