Softcat
A United Kingdom-based technology solutions and IT infrastructure services provider serving business, public-sector and education customers.
Last updated October 17, 2026
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Overview
Softcat is a United Kingdom-based information-technology solutions provider that supplies organisations with technology products, licensing, professional services and ongoing support. Its offering spans the procurement and integration of IT hardware and software, cloud-related services, cybersecurity, networking, workplace technology and infrastructure support. Rather than operating primarily as a consumer-facing technology brand, Softcat functions as a business-to-business technology partner, helping customers select, acquire, deploy and manage technology from a range of vendors. The company traces its origins to 1993, when Peter Kelly founded the business in High Wycombe under the name Software Catalogue. The legal company was originally incorporated as Wardswift. The early business model centred on software supply and catalogued technology products. Over time, Softcat broadened its proposition from software distribution into a wider IT infrastructure and services operation. That expansion enabled it to address larger organisational technology requirements, including hardware procurement, software licensing, cloud adoption, security and managed support. A significant management transition took place in December 2005, when Martin Hellawell became managing director and later chief executive. In April 2006, the company moved its headquarters to Marlow. Softcat subsequently expanded its physical presence beyond England, opening a Glasgow office in 2016 and announcing an office in Dublin in 2018. Birmingham became the company’s ninth office in October 2019. Later international expansion added offices in Washington, D.C., Singapore, Hong Kong, Sydney and Amsterdam. Softcat became a public company through an initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange in November 2015. It entered the FTSE 250 Index in March 2016, marking its development from a privately held technology reseller into a listed UK technology-services business. In March 2018, Hellawell moved from chief executive to chairman, and Graeme Watt became chief executive on 1 April 2018. The company’s customer proposition is built around combining access to major technology vendors with local sales, technical and support capabilities. Its typical engagements may involve sourcing equipment, managing software entitlements, designing cloud or infrastructure architectures, improving cyber resilience, or providing operational assistance after deployment. This model positions Softcat between a conventional product reseller and a full-service IT consultancy: products and licensing remain important, but the company also seeks to add value through advice, implementation and lifecycle services. Softcat has also used content and communications to explain technology topics to professional audiences. In March 2018 it launched the Explain IT podcast, whose first season reached number 39 on the UK iTunes podcast chart. A second season began in January 2019, and the programme won the Best Marketing Campaign award at the 2019 CRN Sales and Marketing Awards. Softcat remains an active, London-listed IT infrastructure and services company. Its principal identity is that of a multi-vendor technology partner for organisations rather than a manufacturer of proprietary hardware or software. The available reference material does not establish a complete current financial profile, detailed ownership structure or comprehensive executive roster; those fields are therefore limited to information supported by the supplied sources. Softcat remains an active, London-listed IT infrastructure and services company. Its primary identity is as a multi-vendor technology partner for organisations rather than a manufacturer of proprietary hardware or software. The available references do not establish a complete current financial profile, detailed ownership structure or comprehensive executive list; those areas are therefore limited to what the supplied sources support.
History
Softcat began in 1993 in High Wycombe, England. Peter Kelly founded the business on 30 March of that year under the name Software Catalogue. The company was originally incorporated as Wardswift, reflecting its status as a limited company before the Softcat brand became established. Its initial focus was the supply of software and related technology products, using a catalogue-oriented commercial model. Over the following years, the business developed beyond a narrow software catalogue proposition. It expanded into the supply of IT hardware, software licensing, infrastructure products and associated services. This broadened scope allowed Softcat to serve organisations seeking a single commercial and technical partner for several stages of the technology lifecycle. The company’s later proposition included procurement, implementation, cloud services, cybersecurity, networking and support, making it an IT infrastructure and services provider rather than simply a software reseller. Martin Hellawell joined the company’s senior leadership in December 2005 as managing director and later became chief executive. In April 2006, Softcat relocated its headquarters to Marlow. The move became associated with the company’s established corporate base as it continued to expand its commercial and operational footprint. A further phase of development began with Softcat’s transition to public-company status. The business carried out an initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange in November 2015. In March 2016, it was promoted to the FTSE 250 Index. The listing increased Softcat’s profile as a UK technology-services company and provided a public-market structure for its continuing growth. The supplied reference material does not provide detailed IPO valuation or financial figures, so those aspects are not included here. Geographic expansion accompanied the company’s development. In 2016, Softcat opened an office in Glasgow, its first location outside England. In 2018, it announced plans for a Dublin office, creating its first office outside the United Kingdom. The company opened its ninth office in Birmingham in October 2019. Subsequent international locations were established in Washington, D.C., Singapore, Hong Kong, Sydney and Amsterdam, extending the brand’s presence beyond its original UK base. Leadership changed in 2018. In March, Hellawell stepped down as chief executive and became chairman. Graeme Watt replaced him as chief executive on 1 April. This represented a planned change in operating leadership while retaining Hellawell in a senior governance role. Softcat has supported its corporate and marketing communications with educational content. On 14 March 2018 it launched Explain IT, a podcast intended to discuss and clarify information-technology subjects. The first season reached number 39 on the UK iTunes podcast chart. Softcat announced a second season in December 2018, and that season began on 3 January 2019. In July 2019, the podcast received the Best Marketing Campaign award at the CRN Sales and Marketing Awards. The historical record supplied for this dossier presents Softcat as an active, listed technology-services business with roots in software supply and a broader present-day role across IT infrastructure, cloud, security and support. It does not establish a complete chronology of every product launch, acquisition, office opening or leadership appointment, nor does it provide a current detailed account of financial performance. Unsupported details have therefore been omitted.
- 2019
Birmingham office opens
[1]Softcat opened a Birmingham office in October, described as its ninth office.
- 2019
Explain IT receives CRN award
[1]The Explain IT podcast won Best Marketing Campaign at the 2019 CRN Sales and Marketing Awards.
- 2018
Leadership transition and international expansion
[1]Martin Hellawell became chairman, Graeme Watt became chief executive, and Softcat announced its first office outside the United Kingdom in Dublin.
- 2018
Explain IT podcast launches
[1]Softcat launched the Explain IT podcast on 14 March to communicate technology subjects to a professional audience.
- 2016
FTSE 250 inclusion and Glasgow expansion
[1]Softcat entered the FTSE 250 Index in March and opened its first office outside England in Glasgow.
- 2015
Initial public offering
[1]Softcat became a public company through an initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange in November.
- 2006
Headquarters move to Marlow
[1]Softcat moved its headquarters to Marlow in April 2006.
- 2005
Martin Hellawell becomes managing director
[1]Martin Hellawell became managing director in December 2005 and later served as chief executive.
- 1993
Business founded as Software Catalogue
[1]Peter Kelly founded the business in High Wycombe on 30 March 1993 under the name Software Catalogue; the company was originally incorporated as Wardswift.
Products and positioning
A multi-vendor, business-to-business IT solutions partner combining technology procurement with cloud, infrastructure, security, implementation and support services.
Hardware procurement
IT hardware
Softcat supplies business technology hardware as part of its broader infrastructure proposition. Hardware procurement can form part of workplace, networking, data-centre and end-user computing projects. The available source material identifies hardware as a core part of the company’s scope but does not provide a complete vendor or model catalogue.
Software and licensing · 1993
Enterprise software and licensing
Software supply and licensing are central to Softcat’s historical and present identity. The company began as Software Catalogue and later expanded its role to help organisations acquire and manage software products. Specific vendor relationships, licence metrics and product-level launch dates are not established by the supplied references.
Cloud and infrastructure services
Cloud and infrastructure solutions
Softcat provides cloud-related and infrastructure solutions within its IT services portfolio. These offerings support organisations in planning, sourcing and implementing technology environments. The reference material does not specify particular cloud platforms or proprietary products.
Cybersecurity services
Cybersecurity solutions
Cybersecurity is identified as one of Softcat’s principal service areas. Its role is that of a technology solutions partner, helping customers source and apply security technologies and related services. Detailed named offerings and delivery arrangements are not specified in the supplied references.
IT services
IT support and professional services
Softcat complements product and licensing sales with professional and support services. These services extend the customer relationship beyond initial procurement into implementation, technical assistance and technology lifecycle support. The available material does not provide a definitive breakdown of service-level packages.
Marketing campaigns
- 2019Explain IT Season 2
United Kingdom
Softcat continued the Explain IT content initiative with a second season launched on 3 January 2019. The campaign won Best Marketing Campaign at the 2019 CRN Sales and Marketing Awards.
Outcome. The campaign won Best Marketing Campaign at the 2019 CRN Sales and Marketing Awards.
- 2018Explain IT
United Kingdom
Softcat launched the Explain IT podcast on 14 March 2018 as an educational and marketing channel focused on explaining information-technology topics. The first season reached number 39 on the UK iTunes podcast chart. A second season launched in January 2019.
Outcome. The first season reached number 39 on the UK iTunes podcast chart. A second season launched in January 2019.
Brand decisions
2018
Chief executive successionOtherBackground
Softcat changed its senior operating leadership while retaining Martin Hellawell in a senior governance role.
Action taken
Martin Hellawell moved from chief executive to chairman, and Graeme Watt became chief executive on 1 April 2018.
Aftermath
The transition established Watt as the company’s operating leader and Hellawell as chairman.
2018
Expansion beyond the United KingdomStrategyBackground
After establishing offices across England and Scotland, Softcat sought to extend its geographic reach.
Action taken
The company announced an office in Dublin, its first office outside the United Kingdom, followed by later international offices in several overseas markets.
Aftermath
Softcat developed an international office footprint including locations in the United States, Asia-Pacific and the Netherlands.
2015
Public listingOtherBackground
Softcat had developed from a private software and technology supplier into a broader IT infrastructure and services company.
Action taken
The company proceeded with an initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange in November 2015.
Aftermath
Softcat became a listed company and was subsequently promoted to the FTSE 250 Index in March 2016.
Recent events
Softcat appoints Louise Fellows as Public Sector Director[3]
Reported:
Softcat appointed Louise Fellows as its new Public Sector Director. She was to assume leadership of the company's public sector team from January 2021.
Sources3 sources
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