ClearCourse acquires Club Systems International – Sports Management Software

September 2, 2022

London | 2 September 2022 – ClearCourse (“the Group”), a leading group of innovative technology brands providing software solutions and an integrated payments platform, today announces the acquisition of Club Systems International (“the Company”), a major sports club management software provider. 


Established in 1982 and based in Manchester, Club Systems International provides leading sports management software to more than 1,750 sports clubs across 17 countries. Its vast customer base is comprised predominantly of golf clubs, but also includes rugby, cricket, and leisure clubs, for which it designs systems to streamline memberships, manage club competitions and process payments. 

By joining ClearCourse, Club Systems International will receive increased investment to develop its product offering and reach thousands more customers worldwide. Furthermore, the business will benefit from integration with ClearCourse’s full spectrum of software businesses and ClearAccept, a payments solution designed by ClearCourse that gives specialist brands full control over their payments process while easing the challenges of security and compliance. This deal represents ClearCourse’s growth in the sports, payments and leisure sectors. 


As part of this deal, ClearCourse has also acquired HowDidIDo Media, the leading advertisement and publishing entity connected to Club Systems International and owned by the same shareholders. The business operates HowDidIDo.com, Europe’s largest golfing network, which caters for over half a million golfers who have recorded 7 million rounds of golf on the platform, as well as a number of golf media outlets including Greenkeeping and The Golf Business. Club Systems’ Managing Director, Richard Peabody, and its Chairman, Glyn Roberts, will continue to lead the company.

ClearCourse was founded to support the growth of UK businesses that provide software and payment processing services to a variety of membership organisations including non-profits, trade associations, trade unions, sporting bodies and charities. It acquires innovative businesses with strong management teams and complementary offerings, facilitating operational and commercial synergies. The Group has undergone remarkable growth since its foundation, expanding from a standing start to now having over 800 employees and serving upwards of 20,000 customers with more than 30 solutions. 


Gerry Gualtieri, CEO of ClearCourse, commented: “Sports and leisure is an exciting sector which continues to be invigorated by great software designed with clubs, organisers and members in mind. Club Systems has seized this opportunity by creating clever, purpose-built sports club solutions, amassing a vast and diverse customer base as a result. We are delighted to welcome Glyn, Richard and the wider team to ClearCourse.”


Richard Peabody, Managing Director of Club Systems International, said: “This is a very exciting time for sports clubs as life begins to look more like the normal we experienced before the pandemic and clubs are able to operate at full capacity once again. Joining ClearCourse and having access to its pool of talent, knowledge and software expertise will help us to ensure that Club Systems can remain at the forefront of the sports club management sector.”


The financial terms of the deal are undisclosed. 

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.”