ClearCourse acquires motor trade software provider Garage Data Systems

December 15, 2020

London | 15 December 2020 - ClearCourse Partnership LLP (“ClearCourse” or “the Group”), a group of innovative technology companies providing useful, integrated software solutions, has acquired Garage Data Systems (“GDS” or “the Company”). GDS creates and delivers intuitive business software for motor trade professionals across the UK and Ireland. This deal represents the 23rd company acquired by ClearCourse, and the first in the motor industry.

GDS was founded in 2006 to meet a growing demand for affordable and simple garage management software solutions in the motoring industry. It offers a comprehensive suite of services to make life easier for motor trade professionals, including workshop management systems, fleet, stock, and sales management tools, and a commercial vehicle management platform. GDS has also developed a specialised platform for boat management to meet its clients’ evolving needs.

ClearCourse has consistently delivered innovative solutions for its Group companies, and we’re certain they are the right partner to help us do the same for our clients.

Paul Setterfield – Managing Director, Garage Data Systems

From its headquarters in Beverley, Yorkshire, GDS caters to over 1500 clients throughout the UK and Ireland. To date it has installed its systems in more than 2000 garages and workshops across the two countries. By becoming part of the ClearCourse Group, GDS will gain access to a range of new value-added services, including the nascent ClearAccept payments platform. Using the new platform, and associated technologies that ClearCourse has developed within the Group, GDS will be able to offer remote and mobile payments which are in increasing demand due to the global pandemic.

Gerry Gualtieri, CEO of ClearCourse, commented: “I’m very happy to welcome the Garage Data Systems team to the ClearCourse Group. In addition to helping us expand into a new vertical sector, we see numerous opportunities to capitalise on synergies across the Group in GDS. In particular, there is a clear opportunity to build upon the customer experience and provide additional payment options, including online and mobile payments. We look forward to working closely with the team over the coming years.”

Paul Setterfield, MD of Garage Data Systems, said: “I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the past 16 years as a business. We’ve always striven to deliver market leading products that improve efficiency in our customer’s businesses and deliver a tangible return on investment for them. ClearCourse has consistently delivered innovative solutions for its Group companies, and we’re certain they are the right partner to help us do the same for our clients.”

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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.