ClearCourse acquires leading cloud-based CRM software provider BrightOffice

August 29, 2019

London | 29 August 2019 - ClearCourse Partnership LLP (“ClearCourse” or “the Group”), a group of innovative technology companies providing digital services, work-flow solutions, and payments capabilities to the membership, events & bookings, sports & lifestyle and business services sectors, today announces the acquisition of BrightOffice (“the Company”). BrightOffice is a leading SaaS company providing hosted, enterprise Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software solutions to many different business sectors. The Company is ClearCourse’s 14th acquisition since October 2018 and an expansion of its business services offering.

BrightOffice was founded in 2004. Since then, it has developed a highly customisable cloud-based, SaaS CRM platform upon which it can build specialised CRM products bespoke to the requirements of its c. 300 clients. BrightOffice serves a broad range of public and private businesses across a number of sectors including financial services, energy, training and job management, and property. The platform is highly scalable making it suitable for businesses or organisations of any size, from single users to multi-user, multi-site companies. Depending on the client’s needs, the specialised CRM products can include prospecting services, process management, sales accounts, financial management, file management, webmail & integrated calendars, and e-marketing & automatic text messaging services. BrightOffice is a certified Crown Commercial Service supplier, using G-Cloud framework in the cloud hosting, software and support service category.

With ClearCourse’s backing, BrightOffice will receive strategic and operational guidance, as well as financial resources to support further product development and market growth. The Company will gain access to proprietary technologies from across the Group, including payments processing capabilities and best in class data validation. BrightOffice’s dedicated management team will continue to run the Company, led by its Founder, Paul Groome, working closely with ClearCourse to achieve the next stage of growth.

The team at BrightOffice has worked tirelessly to earn our market-leading position as a trusted partner to a wide range of companies across multiple sectors, from financial services to renewable energy.

Paul Groome – Managing Director, BrightOffice

Gerry Gualtieri, CEO of ClearCourse, said: “BrightOffice is a terrific addition to ClearCourse as we continue to build our presence in the CRM and business services sectors. It’s expansive range of solutions catering to the business management sectors presents great opportunities to realise operational synergies with the other partnership companies, particularly around the provision of payments systems and data validation. We’re excited that BrightOffice has chosen us as a partner to achieve its ambitious growth plans and we look forward to working with Paul and his team to make them a reality.”

Paul Groome, Founder of BrightOffice, commented: “Over the past 15 years, the team at BrightOffice has worked tirelessly to earn our market-leading position as a trusted partner to a wide range of companies across multiple sectors, from financial services to renewable energy. Our bespoke products are renowned for their efficiency and simplicity and our team is dedicated to providing clients with the best possible service. By joining ClearCourse, we see an opportunity to build upon those successes, developing further innovative products, creating more value for our clients and accelerating the growth of our business.”

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FinTech Software and Payments veteran Simon Black joins ClearCourse board

December 11, 2024

11 December 2024, London, UK: ClearCourse, a leading provider of industry-specific software and payments for UK SMEs, is pleased to announce the appointment of FinTech, Software and Payments veteran Simon Black as Non-Executive Director. Simon has a track record of leading technology companies through rapid periods of growth and brings a wealth of experience in strategy, branding, M&A and fundraising. Simon has over three decades of experience in Fintech software and Payments. He is the former CEO of PPRO which he transformed from a German start-up into a global leader in alternative payments, via international expansion and multiple successful funding rounds. Prior to PPRO, Simon was CEO of SagePay, where he led the business to 10x revenue growth. Simon currently advises growth-stage companies and private equity investors on driving innovation, market disruption and long-term growth. This appointment comes at an exciting time for ClearCourse, as the company expands its UK market presence while continuing to provide mission-critical products and services to help customers manage and grow their businesses. Throughout 2024, ClearCourse acquired an additional 4 businesses in ThinkSmart, CSY, Gob2b and Harbour Assist as part of its strategy to build a strong presence in key vertical markets characterised by high digital adoption and establishing itself in the fast-growing online and mobile payments space. Christina Hamilton, CEO of ClearCourse, said: “ I am delighted to welcome Simon to the ClearCourse board at a pivotal stage of our growth journey. He shares our ambition of building the business into a major actor in the embedded fintech space. Simon’s impressive track record of scaling payment businesses will be invaluable in supporting ClearCourse grow further in the UK and beyond and we look forward to working closely with him. ” Simon Black, incoming Non-Executive Director, added: “ I am delighted to be joining the board of ClearCourse, an exciting, innovative business with many opportunities as the high demand for embedded payments from SMBs continues unabated. I have known Christina and the Aquiline team for some time, and I have been impressed by ClearCourse’s rapid growth to date. The Group’s winning combination of deep vertical domain expertise and seamless integrated payments is truly market leading. I look forward to supporting ClearCourse’s continued leadership in attractive key sector verticals. ”

Software and Payments Specialist ClearCourse Acquires Marina and Harbour Software Provider Harbour Assist

October 17, 2024

London, 17 October 2024 – ClearCourse, a leading provider of industry-specific software and embedded payment solutions for SMEs and targeted enterprises, announces the acquisition of Harbour Assist. Founded in 2013 and based in Cornwall, Harbour Assist is a leading cloud-based marina management system that integrates customer relations, communications, asset management, invoicing and reporting into a single, easy-to-use software package. Harbour Assist serves a diverse range of marina and harbour clients across the UK, Canada, Fiji, Mexico, New Zealand, US, Australia, and the Middle East. Their clients include independent operators and multi-site organisations, Trust Ports and public sector such as Buckler’s Hard Yacht Harbour, Lakeland Leisure Estates, Fowey Harbour, Port of Ramsgate. Harbour Assist’s reach extends to some of the world’s most prominent marinas and harbours. Harbour Assist’s industry-specific software focuses on enhancing administrative efficiency, improving customer service, and providing robust tools for managing moorings, berths, billing, and communication with boat owners. With ClearCourse, the platform will gain access to embedded payment tools as well as additional development resources, enhancing its capability to deliver a greater quantity of features at pace. Christina Hamilton, Chief Executive Officer of ClearCourse, said : “We are delighted to welcome Harbour Assist into the ClearCourse Group. As a market leader and disrupter in marine and harbour software, Harbour Assist acquisition underscores our aim for success in 2024. This collaboration will not only enhance the service, and solutions offered to Harbour Assist’s customers but also provide them with access to a broader range of resources and expertise. We eagerly anticipate working with Nick, Graham, and the team to explore new markets, improve operational efficiencies, and deliver an integrated offering to our customers.” Nick Gill and Graham Laidler Co-founders of Harbour Assist said : “It’s very exciting to join the ClearCourse group at this crucial stage in our growth journey. For over a decade, we've earned our reputation by delivering mission-critical software designed and developed by a team of maritime professionals. Leveraging years of practical experience and ongoing customer feedback. Partnering with ClearCourse enables us to expand further and future proof our business by adding a range of innovative and efficient payments solutions, something we are incredibly excited about.” Harbour Assist will be part of the ClearCourse Sports and Leisure division. This announcement follows the recent acquisitions of B2B eCommerce platform GOb2b and retail EPOS solutions provider CSY. With these strategic additions, ClearCourse is poised to leverage enhanced capabilities and resources, driving innovation and delivering superior features to its users. Established in London in 2018, ClearCourse is a leading software and embedded payment specialist. The group’s vertical software solutions provide essential, industry-specific technology to help their customers manage and grow their businesses. Since inception, the company has undergone rapid growth by acquiring over 40 leading software and payments solutions in its core market verticals which are all underpinned by ClearCourse Payments and Services. The terms of the deal are undisclosed.