ClearCourse acquires UK’s leading legacy management software provider Clear

Jan 19, 2023

London 19 January 2023 – ClearCourse, a leading group of market-leading technology brands providing integrated software and payments solutions, today announces the acquisition of Clear. Focusing on market-leading software solutions for the non-profit and transport sectors, Clear will expand ClearCourse’s established and growing footprint while creating new opportunities within the transport sector. This deal is the first of the year for ClearCourse and follows the recent appointment of CEO Christina Hamilton.

Clear’s solutions are designed with specific customer needs in mind to streamline its customers’ processes and operations. Its flagship product in the not-for-profit space, FirstClass, is the UK’s leading legacy donation management software, helping over 100 charities and not-for-profits maximise their income from legacy donations. Similarly, the company’s Clear Cross and Clear Logistics systems help transport operators process revenues and manage logistics. The company also specialises in creating bespoke systems to help its customers with various business processes such as contract recording, claims handling and data storing. Clear supports over 100 globally recognised, leading charities and businesses such as Oxfam, the NSPCC, Cancer Research UK and National Express.

Based in Chorley, Lancashire, and with a team across the North West of the UK, Clear’s acquisition represents a further expansion of ClearCourse’s presence in the region following the opening of its Northern Tech Hub last year in nearby Preston. Clear shares a range of integration opportunities with ClearCourse’s existing software offerings, creating significant extra value for customers. For instance, brands within ClearCourse’s Membership Services Division will have the chance to benefit customers through the integration of Clear’s FirstClass offering. Clear’s customers will also benefit from ClearCourse’s horizontal solutions, including integrated payments, investment, resources and expertise.

John Antunes, Managing Director of ClearCourse Software and Services division, said:

“This acquisition is undoubtedly an excellent addition to ClearCourse’s software solutions for the not-for-profit sector. We’re very excited by the integration and growth potential inherent in the deal, which brings new opportunities for us to work better together across the group. For example, Clear’s customers can access our market-leading CRM platforms and address validation services. We’re also excited by the opportunity to learn from such an experienced team at Clear, who we’re delighted to welcome to ClearCourse.”

Jan Rathbone and Ian Parker, Directors of Clear, said:

“We’re very pleased to share that Clear will become part of ClearCourse. At a time when the company is looking to grow and develop to the next stage of our journey, ClearCourse is the perfect fit for Clear. We’re excited to work with a wide range of impressive products. ClearCourse offers and for Clear to benefit from their support and investment in 2023 and beyond.”

The financial terms of the deal are undisclosed.

< Older Post Newer Post >

a man and a woman are playing tennis on a tennis court at night.

Software and Payments Specialist ClearCourse Acquires Award Winning Club Scheduling SaaS Business, ThinkSmart Software

07 Feb, 2024

London, 7 February 2024 – ClearCourse, a leading provider of industry-specific software and embedded payments for SMEs and targeted enterprises, announces the acquisition of ThinkSmart Software (“ThinkSmart”), an independent software-as-a-service (“SaaS”) provider delivering an innovative technology for businesses that offer clubs and classes in the UK and Australia as well as other global markets. This strategic acquisition will be integrated as part of ClearCourse’s growing Business Services division. Founded in 2008, ThinkSmart is a scheduling and customer management platform for businesses that conduct classes and take bookings. Today, ThinkSmart serves approximately 2,500 customers predominately within the children’s activities sector, offering a user-friendly, intuitive product which helps “class-based” businesses with managing all day-to-day administration. Its award-winning software helps clients across the tennis, swimming, gymnastics, dance, music and sports sectors automate processes so that they can spend more time managing their business and working with their customers. ThinkSmart’s innovative technology streamlines several business admin tasks, including class scheduling, customer management and communications as well as invoicing and payments systems. Christina Hamilton, Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are extremely pleased to announce ThinkSmart as the latest software business to join our group. We look forward to welcoming the ThinkSmart team, led by founder Andy Leigh and UK Managing Director George Bentley, and working with them to enhance their offering across the growing, class-led activities sector. This investment is a further milestone in the growth of ClearCourse which continues to expand in the UK market as well as internationally.” Andrew (Andy) Leigh, Founder and Managing Director of ThinkSmart, commented: “In ClearCourse we have found a likeminded, customer-focused partner that will support a new phase of growth for ThinkSmart. As part of ClearCourse, we will be focused on continuously improving the industry-specific software solutions we offer our customers across the world, as well as looking for opportunities to expand our services.” George Bentley, UK Managing Director said: “ClearCourse has built a unique and compelling group of software companies and payments capabilities, and we are excited to continue growing our business supported by the rich experience and infrastructure now available to us. In particular, working with ClearCourse will enable us to offer our UK growing customer base market-leading, embedded Direct Debit and card payment solutions which will make accepting and managing payments quicker and easier.” Established in London in 2018, ClearCourse is a leading software and embedded payment specialist servicing SMEs and targeted enterprise customers. The group’s vertical software solutions provide essential, market-leading technology to help their customers manage and grow their businesses. Since inception, the company has undergone rapid growth by acquiring 40 leading software and payments solutions in the market verticals in which it operates: Retail & Hospitality, Golf & Leisure, Business Services and Membership Services. Christina Hamilton added: “ClearCourse is a growth company with a clear ambition to help our customers build great businesses with our industry-specific software and embedded payments solutions. We acquire small- and medium-sized businesses and integrate them into the ClearCourse group of companies to benefit their growth and development, while delivering the same for our customers with their own growth aspirations. Our acquisition of ThinkSmart is our first investment in 2024 and marks a successful start to what we expect to be a year of continued growth for ClearCourse.” The terms of the deal are undisclosed.

Nathan Best ClearCourse Chief Operating Officer

Software and Payments Specialist ClearCourse appoints Nathan Best as Chief Operating Officer

04 Jul, 2023

ClearCourse, a leading provider of industry-specific software and payments for UK SMEs, announces the appointment of FinTech veteran Nathan Best as Chief Operating Officer.