VAR Softcat is setting up a third office in London to help tap into the city’s graduate talent pool.

The Marlow-based Microsoft LAR has rapidly ramped up its headcount to 33 at its first regional office in Manchester.

Softcat managing director Martin Hellawell said London would enjoy a similar growth trajectory after it begins trading in October or November. The location has yet to be decided.

Hellawell said: “We are all fighting to get quality talent on board to drive future growth and a lot of people coming out of university want to work in London.”

Softcat recently topped theThe Sunday Times '100 Best Small Companies to Work For' (2010) list and Hellawell said recruiting from outside the industry has been key to the VAR's business model.

“We tend to recruit straight from universities,” he explained. “We only have two or three guys that have ever worked at other resellers – the rest are homegrown.”

Softcat’s headcount has expanded 12 per cent to 215 over the last 12 months. Turnover hit £114m in its last financial year, up from less than £40m in 2002-03.

“Business seems to be very strong and there is a lot of confidence coming back into the market,” said Hellawell.