Softcat
| Softcat company logo | |
| Company type | Public limited company |
|---|---|
| LSE: SCT | |
| Industry | Information technology |
| Founder | Peter Kelly |
| Headquarters | |
Number of locations | 6 |
Key people | Brian Wallace (Chairman) Martin Hellawell (CEO) |
| Revenue | £672.35 million (2016)[1] |
| £42.19 million (2016)[1] | |
| £33.16 million (2016)[1] | |
| Website | www.softcat.com |
Softcat is a Marlow-based IT infrastructure provider founded by Peter Kelly in 1993. Martin Hellawell is the CEO.[2] Colin Brown is the current managing director.[3] It has UK offices in Bristol, London, Manchester, Leeds, Marlow and Glasgow. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange and it is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.
History
Softcat was founded by Peter Kelly in 1993 in High Wycombe, under its original business name 'Software Catalogue'.[4] Initially a mail order operation serving home and business customers, in 1996 it switched focus to the business-to-business market, and in 1998 changed its name to Softcat. In 2001 it became a Microsoft Large Account Reseller. In 2006 it moved its headquarters to Marlow, Buckinghamshire, opening a further three offices in Manchester, London[5] and Bristol [6] in 2009, 2011 and 2014 respectively. As of 2014, it has a client base of 8000 customers and a turnover of £500m.[7][8][9] In September 2014, it announced it would open an office in the northern city of Leeds, UK.[10] The company was the subject of an initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange in November 2015.[4] The most recent addition to the Softcat offices is Glasgow, which was opened in February 2016.[11]
Workplace environment
Softcat currently employs approximately 821 employees. Its offices have been described as 'quirky'[12] and are reported to have an unusual work culture.[13] In 2014 Softcat was ranked as the 2nd best workplace in the UK,[14] and the 6th in Europe, by the Great Place to Work organisation.[15]
Charitable activities
Softcat has raised in excess of £1.2 million for various charities since 2007, through both company-wide initiatives and individual efforts. Four of its staff ran the 2013 London Marathon, raising £11,000.[16] Softcat's 2014 May Ball raised £236,000 for Dreams Come True, the charity for terminally ill children.[17] In March 2013 it raised £37,000 for Comic Relief.[18][19]
Corporate social responsibility
Softcat has a 'Green Team' managed by chairman Martin Hellawell, which has implemented energy efficient sensor lighting, tea bag recycling and a car pool scheme. Employees use a fleet of energy efficient 'car pool' cars to attend meetings. Its activity was featured on a Channel 4 documentary covering green credentials of UK businesses.[20]
References
- ^ a b c "Preliminary Results for the twelve months to 31 July 2016" (PDF). Softcat. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
- ^ "McDonalds-card-toting Softcat boss: I couldn't tell you how a computer works • The Channel". Channelregister.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-12-22.
- ^ "Softcat eyes £500m sales as Brown opens up on first year at VAR - 30 Aug 2013 - CRN UK News". Channelweb.co.uk. 2013-08-30. Retrieved 2013-12-22.
- ^ a b "Tech IPO Softcat sizzles on debut". Interactive Investor. 13 November 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
- ^ "Softcat opens new London hub - 20 Aug 2013 - CRN UK News". Channelweb.co.uk. 2013-08-20. Retrieved 2013-12-22.
- ^ "Softcat goes west and recruits for new Bristol office". Retrieved 3 March 2016.
- ^ "New customer wins propel Softcat into the £500m club". CRN. 2014-11-26.
- ^ "Softcat hits £500m sales milestone". The Register. 2014-11-26.
- ^ "Softcat breaks through £500m barrier". Megabuyte. 2014-11-26.
- ^ "Softcat Leeds the way to new Yorkshire office". Retrieved 3 March 2016.
- ^ "Softcat set to open up Scottish operation as sales spike continues". Channel Register. 2 December 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
- ^ "CRN". Channelweb.co.uk. 2012-12-19. Retrieved 2013-12-22.
- ^ "Softcat does the Harlem Shake - 19 Mar 2013 - CRN UK News". Channelweb.co.uk. 2013-03-19. Retrieved 2013-12-22.
- ^ "Computer Reseller News". CRN.
- ^ "Softcat ranked 6th best workplace in 19 countries - Geoconnexion". Geoconnexion.
- ^ "Channel Pro". Channel Pro. 2013-04-24. Retrieved 2013-12-22.
- ^ "£236,000 raised at Softcat's charity ball for Dreams Come True". Retrieved 3 March 2016.
- ^ "Comic Relief". Comic Relief. Retrieved 2013-12-22.
- ^ "Back to the 80s for Softcat in aid of Comic Relief - 14 Mar 2013 - CRN UK News". Channelweb.co.uk. 2013-03-14. Retrieved 2013-12-22.
- ^ "Green & Environment Programmes on TV - Green from". Channel4.com. Retrieved 2013-12-22.