Advanced’s Strategic Move: Acquiring Clear Review

In a significant development within the UK tech landscape, Advanced, a notable player in the software solutions market, has recently made its third acquisition of 2020. This acquisition sees Advanced welcoming Clear Review, an innovative performance management and employee engagement software company, into its fold. This move aligns with Advanced’s strategy to bolster its capabilities in human capital management, a field that has gained immense significance in the modern workforce.

Who is Clear Review?

Founded in 2016 by Stuart Hearn, the former International HR Director at Sony, Clear Review offers a Software as a Service (SaaS) platform designed to enhance employee engagement and performance management. Key features of this platform include a scientifically backed wellbeing monitor that allows organizations to assess and improve employee wellbeing—a crucial element during times of transition and adaptation, especially in the wake of the pandemic.

Clear Review’s SaaS solution is already being utilized by a range of notable clients. Companies such as Virgin Money, RICOH, Café Nero, HarperCollins, and Waltham Forest Council have integrated Clear Review’s platform into their operations, reflecting its value and effectiveness in enhancing workplace performance.

What Does This Acquisition Mean for Advanced?

By acquiring Clear Review, Advanced aims to extend its human capital management capabilities across the entire employee lifecycle—from recruitment to retirement. This strategic enhancement is positioned to make Advanced a more comprehensive provider in the business software solutions arena, thereby elevating its status within the UK market and expanding its global reach.

CEO Gordon Wilson expressed the importance of this acquisition in light of ongoing changes in workforce dynamics. He noted that with over half of the UK’s job force now working remotely due to COVID-19, the need for tools that help managers monitor and enhance team performance has never been more critical. Advanced recognizes that the ability to engage and support employee wellbeing remotely will be essential for organizational success moving forward.

Complementing Existing Solutions

Wilson emphasized that Clear Review’s technology is highly complementary to Advanced’s existing human capital management solutions. This integration is expected to empower managers with tools that enhance not only performance but also foster a supportive and engaged workplace culture. By marrying the strengths of both companies, Advanced is poised to elevate the talent management strategies of its clients, enabling them to navigate the complexities of managing remote teams more effectively.

A Pattern of Growth through Acquisitions

The acquisition of Clear Review adds to a series of strategic moves by Advanced, which recently acquired Tikit, a global software company specializing in legal, accounting, and professional services, as well as Mitrefinch, a workforce management company. This trio of acquisitions occurs within just six months and signifies Advanced’s aggressive growth strategy, particularly following a substantial investment from funds managed by BC Partners and Vista Equity Partners in August 2019.

A Vision for the Future

Stuart Hearn, now the CEO of Clear Review, elaborated on the potential benefits of this acquisition. He underscored the significance of integrating Clear Review’s capabilities with Advanced’s HR solutions, which will facilitate organizations in retaining top talent while promoting employee development. This vision aligns seamlessly with the current demands for agile and effective workforce management, offering organizations tools to navigate the uncertainties of modern employment.

Ultimately, the merger of Clear Review into Advanced’s offerings serves as a beacon for the evolving role of technology in workforce management. As businesses increasingly look to adapt and thrive in a post-pandemic world, solutions that prioritize employee engagement and wellbeing will be crucial in driving performance and organizational success.