Softcat appoints Graeme Watt as new CEO

Softcat, which provides IT infrastructure products and services, has announced the appointment of Graeme Watt as chief executive with effect from 1 April 2018, replacing Martin Hellawell.

Watt, who has more than 25 years of experience in the IT distribution industry, has been senior vice president EMEA of Advanced and Specialist Solutions at Tech Data 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 and his earlier career included roles at Tech Data and Computer 2000.

Effective from the data of Watt joining Softcat, Hellawell will become non-executive chairman and non-executive chairman Brian Wallace will retire from the board.

Wallace 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.”