ClearCourse appoints payments expert Mark Roberts as Divisional Director of ClearCourse’s Payments Division

February 2, 2021

London   02 February 2021 - ClearCourse Partnership LLP (“ClearCourse” or “the Partnership”), a group of innovative technology brands providing useful, integrated software solutions, announces the appointment of Mark Roberts as Divisional Director of the ClearCourse Payments Division, which offers a wide range of credit card and direct debit solutions. Mark brings with him over 25 years’ experience in the IT and payments sectors, developing new solutions and executing strategies across the EMEA region.


Mark’s initial focus will be on ClearAccept, ClearCourse’s integrated card payments solution. ClearAccept has been designed from the ground up to be compatible with virtually any software platform, providing ClearCourse brands and clients full control of the user experience, while minimising the burden of security and compliance.


Gerry Gualtieri, CEO of ClearCourse, said of the appointment: “The ClearAccept platform was developed to meet the evolving needs of ClearCourse brands and their customers. Over the past year we have seen a huge growth in demand for online and mobile payments and our platform provides a flexible, fully integrated payments solution.


Mark joins at an important time to lead our payments division and manage the delivery and growth of ClearAccept across our other business divisions. His reputation in the industry precedes him and his depth and breadth of experience in the payment acceptance space is highly impressive. I look forward to working closely with Mark to deliver a platform which works seamlessly for everyone.”


Mark entered the payments market in 2003, when he joined Dione, a retail payment hardware provider, and leading the UK retail market through the first wave of Chip and Pin migration. He managed the sale of devices to major retailers including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and B&Q, securing the system’s ubiquity with the public.


The ClearAccept platform is an exciting step forward for technology vendors.


Mark Roberts – Divisional Director, Payments


Following its acquisition of Dione, he progressed to VP Sales Integrated Solutions for Northern Europe at VeriFone. Mark later joined Miura Systems’ global sales team, supporting the international expansion of companies such as iZettle, PayPal, and Rakuten. He left Miura to join Ingenico Group where he led the creation and delivery of a pan-European payment and acquisition solution for SMEs working within the Independent Software Vendor market. Most recently, Mark was CEO of 123 Send, part of the DNA payments group, where he refocused the business to support over 10,000+ SME customers.


Mark Roberts: “The payments industry has experienced a huge period of growth, not least during the disruption to the sector in 2020 as more people stayed at home and made purchases through mobile phones or online. Now more than ever, businesses require an integrated system that is both tailored to their needs and evolves with them. The ClearAccept platform is an exciting step forward for technology vendors, their clients, and ultimately the wider SME space, delivering a flexible, digital payments solution. I look forward to joining the team at ClearCourse.”

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.”