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.”

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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.