Business services provider signs multimillion-pound digital transformation deal and hires CTO
Manchester-based business services provider Verastar Group has signed a multimillion-pound digital transformation deal to drive greater innovation has hired a new chief technology officer.
The new investment will see the delivery of a single unified customer relationship management (CRM) system – built on Salesforce and Pardot systems – across all brands within the business group.
At the same time, Verastar has appointed senior technologist Spencer Clarkson to the newly created role of CTO to deliver the project. He is also tasked with optimising the group’s existing technology platforms.
Clarkson brings experience from a 30-year career, during which he has overseen transformative IT projects within Blue Chip organisations both in the UK and across Europe.
Verastar CEO Lee Hull said: “One of Verastar’s biggest strengths is its ability to deliver multiple services to small businesses under one roof, so bringing all our brands closer together with a single, unified system that gives a single view of every customer makes perfect sense.
“This investment is about making our colleagues’ day-to-day lives more straightforward, so they have more time to focus on offering a world-class customer experience to the 160,000 small businesses that rely on our services.
“Spencer is an amazing leader in the technology space. He has a deep understanding of how to apply technology solutions that deliver real business improvements and I have no doubt that his expertise will help Verastar solidify its position as the leader in our market and a true champion of small business.”
Verastar Group comprises brands including Inspire Payments, The Insurance Octopus, Clear Business and kinex, serving eight essential services to more than 160,000 small businesses.
Clarkson said: “The opportunity to join Verastar at this exciting time of growth and digital transformation was one I couldn’t turn down. Innovation is at the very heart of Verastar and it’s clear that both Lee and the wider business are committed to using new technology to improve services and make colleagues’ and customers’ lives easier.”
The digital transformation project is being delivered in conjunction with Salesforce, Natterbox and SnapLogic.
Claire Brown, head of energy and utilities at Salesforce UK said: “Verastar is bringing essential services to small businesses in the UK for a higher quality of customer care across utilities, telecoms, insurance and digital payments. Having the right trusted digital transformation partner is crucial, and we’re thrilled to be working with Verastar as they continue to innovate and grow.”
