– UK, Marlow – Softcat plc, (LSE:SCT.L), a leading UK provider of IT infrastructure products and services, today announces that Graeme Watt is to join the Board as Chief Executive with effect from 1 April 2018.
With more than 25 years of experience in the IT distribution industry, Graeme is currently Senior Vice President EMEA, Advanced and Specialist Solutions, Tech Data Corporation, a position he has held since March 2017. He was promoted to that role when Avnet’s Technology Solutions business was acquired by Tech Data in early 2017. Prior to that, he was President for Avnet Technology Solutions, EMEA for almost seven years and a member of Avnet’s Global Executive Committee.
He previously spent six years at Bell Micro (as President of Global Distribution) and his earlier career included roles at Tech Data (President EMEA) and Computer 2000 (Managing Director UK & Ireland). Graeme Watt is also a qualified accountant (ICAEW).
As previously announced, and effective from the date of Graeme joining Softcat, Martin Hellawell (currently Chief Executive of the Company) will become Non-Executive Chairman and Brian Wallace (currently Non-Executive Chairman) will retire from the Board.
The Board’s decision to appoint Mr Watt follows an extensive search process led by Brian Wallace and Lee Ginsberg (Senior Independent Director) with the assistance of global search firm, Odgers Berndtson.
Brian Wallace, Chairman of Softcat plc, said: “Our extensive search generated an impressive field of candidates and Graeme stood out for his extensive knowledge of the sector and the reseller channel as well as his strong leadership skills and delivery of growth in very sizeable business units at Avnet and Tech Data. Equally importantly, he understood and was excited by the dynamic, enthusiastic, people-oriented culture at Softcat and its importance to our Company’s future success. In Graeme, we believe we have found someone who can nurture the best of what we do today with the experience and dynamism to scale and grow the business yet further.
On behalf of the Board, I would also like to pay tribute to Martin Hellawell for his outstanding leadership of the Company over many years and I am delighted that he will take over in due course from me as Chair.”
Graeme Watt said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Softcat. It is a significant customer of Tech Data and I have therefore seen at close quarters its remarkable growth based on a great team providing outstanding service to a rapidly growing customer base. I look forward to introducing myself to the business, getting to know its people and operations even better and working with everyone to ensure the continued success of Softcat.”
Martin Hellawell added: “I am really pleased that Graeme will be joining us as Chief Executive. Over the years, I have seen what Graeme has achieved at Avnet and other companies in the IT distribution segment and have been very impressed by those achievements. He has a strong team ethos and I am looking forward to supporting him as I move into the role of Non-Executive Chairman. In the meantime, I remain completely focused on the CEO role.”
For more information : http://www.softcat.com
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