Softcat gets claws into public sector recruitment

VAR wants to recruit more than 60 staff to support sector-specific growth plans

VAR Softcat is planning to recruit 60 sales staff over the next 18 months to support its public sector growth plans.

The new hires will be responsible for overseeing sales of both infrastructure and software into the public sector.

The recruitment drive is being headed up by Jamie Burke, a public sector specialist who joined Softcat last month from rival VAR Insight UK.

Burke said experience of public sector IT is not a pre-requisite for securing a job at the firm, as the emphasis will be on good relationship management.

"We are looking to recruit and invest in more intelligent and enthusiastic people, with or without experience of public sector IT solutions," he explained.

"The current austerity measures mean most public sector clients will need to undergo significant internal transformation and the need for consistent account management will become increasingly valuable."

Andy Bruen has also recently joined the firm to oversee its public sector framework initiatives. Prior to Softcat he held the role of marketing manager at the public sector education IT buying organisation Becta.

The VAR's public sector efforts to date have already seen it acquire supplier status on the government's £6bn IT hardware and software Buying Solutions procurement framework.

Back in March, Softcat was also one of only three firms to bag a place on all six Lots of the education-focused Crescent Purchasing Consortium IT procurement framework.