ClearCourse’s Silverbear acquires 13 clients from Technology Services Group

November 6, 2019

London | 06 November 2019 - Silverbear, a member of the ClearCourse Group and a leading provider of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software and digital consultancy to membership and non-profit organisations, today announces the acquisition of 13 clients from Technology Services Group (“TSG”). The acquisition follows TSG’s strategic decision to focus its CRM capability and related IP away from the NFP sector and into other areas, impacting its Tribe 365 customers. Silverbear will ensure that the former Tribe 365 customers do not suffer any loss of service as a result of the cessation of TSG’s service. It will honour all contracts for the remainder of their duration, providing a supportive environment in which the companies can continue business as usual. The acquisition has been backed by ClearCourse.


Having undertaken in-depth due diligence, Silverbear is confident that it will meet the needs of TSG’s former clients to the very highest standard. The former Tribe 365 clients are joining an engaged community, connected by a business that has spent the last nine years building a specialised CRM platform and digital consultancy for the membership association and non-profit sector.


Silverbear’s expert team of 60 employees includes 12 specialised support and operational support staff who will service the new customers throughout their contract period. Silverbear has also appointed a full-time dedicated resource to oversee the transitionary period and ensure that new customers’ current systems are fully serviced.


Silverbear’s platform is designed to meet the evolving needs of membership organisations and includes market leading functionality for event organisation and large-scale fundraising management. Silverbear is the only Dynamics 365 partner that is Microsoft certified, meaning that it meets Microsoft’s stringent quality assurance checks on a yearly basis. In addition, being part of the ClearCourse Group, Silverbear can offer the Tribe 365 clients access to a suite of other software solutions including best in breed data validation and Direct Debit processing services.


Our new customers .. will be joining an engaged community of likeminded businesses with dedicated in-house resources to support them.


Carl Grieves – CEO of Silverbear


Carl Grieves, CEO of Silverbear, commented: “The former Tribe 365 customers needed a supportive and steadfast place to continue their operations, and Silverbear is delighted to be able to service them. Our platform is trusted, Microsoft certified and fully compatible with TSG’s technology, giving us confidence that we can provide the support our new customers deserve during the transitionary period and beyond. They will be joining an engaged community of likeminded businesses with dedicated in-house resources to support them, and we very much look forward to immersing them in the Silverbear family.”


Simon Berney-Edwards, Executive Manager of The Expert Witness Institute, one of the companies whose contract has been acquired by Silverbear, said: “The Expert Witness Institute welcomes this acquisition as it provides the organisation with an exceptional opportunity to join the Silverbear community and to receive support from one of the leading providers of CRM software. We are very much looking forward to working with Silverbear over the coming years.”


Silverbear will be hosting dedicated events for the Tribe 365 client base on the 12th and 15th November where they can meet the team, network with peers and understand the support services that will be available to them following the transition.

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.”