ClearCourse appoints leadership team to drive 2026 growth

ClearCourse has made four senior leadership appointments across finance, operations, artificial intelligence and mergers and acquisitions as it sets out growth plans for 2026.

The London-headquartered software and embedded payments group has appointed Nigel Bayles as Chief Financial Officer, Jonathan Bedford as Chief Operating Officer, Cecilia Lee as Head of AI Transformation and Jesse Williamson as Head of M&A.

The hires come as ClearCourse continues work to unify a portfolio of more than 30 vertical-specific brands. It sells industry-focused software and payments services to small and medium-sized businesses.

Finance and operations

Bayles joins the ClearCourse board as CFO. His background includes audit work with small businesses and roles at PwC, Nike and Sage. Most recently, he worked at ERP software provider Iptor, where he led changes to the finance function.

At ClearCourse, Bayles will lead financial strategy as the company expands. The group has not disclosed whether the appointment follows a departure or reflects an expanded leadership team.

Bedford becomes COO after a career spanning nearly three decades in technology. ClearCourse described his approach as data-focused and process-led, with an emphasis on using customer feedback to guide product and service decisions.

The role is closely linked to the group's operating model, which spans multiple software businesses supported by shared services, including embedded payments.

AI and M&A

Lee joins as Head of AI Transformation. She holds a PhD in Service Design focused on human and AI interaction and has worked in the field for more than 13 years. She previously worked at law firm Fieldfisher, where she led initiatives tied to the firm's AI strategy and product delivery.

Her remit includes applying advanced technologies across the group, from internal efficiency, training and capability-building to customer-facing product development.

Williamson takes up the Head of M&A role as ClearCourse continues to use acquisitions as a growth lever. He has more than 20 years of experience across software, technology and payments, and recently advised private equity and venture capital investors and their portfolio companies on growth and acquisitions in vertical software.

In the new role, Williamson will lead acquisition activity for ClearCourse, including identifying targets in new industry segments and expanding the group's presence within existing verticals.

Group strategy

ClearCourse was established in London in 2018 and is backed by Aquiline. It has more than 20,000 customers and has acquired more than 40 software and payments businesses since inception.

The company positions its offering around vertical software and integrated payments. It embeds card and direct debit payment services across parts of its portfolio and sells to SMEs seeking industry-specific systems and payments in one package.

ClearCourse has also set an ambition to become a leading provider to small and mid-sized businesses in the UK and Ireland by 2030. The appointments underline a focus on brand integration and on building repeatable processes for a multi-business group.

Investors have been active in vertical software in recent years, attracted by sector-specific products and long-term customer relationships. Acquirers often pursue consolidation strategies, integrating platforms and widening cross-sell across product lines, including payments.

Christina Hamilton, ClearCourse CEO, linked the appointments to the company's next stage of expansion.

"As we enter our next phase of growth, we are doubling down on our commitment to be a leading engine powering small and medium businesses across the UK and beyond. This new leadership team is central to that mission, integrating advanced sector specific technology across our product suite and building the scalable operating models required to support them. With Nigel, Jonathan, Cecilia and Jesse on board, ClearCourse is even better positioned to provide our SME customers with access to the enterprise-level technology they need to succeed and grow."

The executives will take up their responsibilities immediately as ClearCourse continues integration work across its brands and evaluates acquisition opportunities in software and payments.