Millgate hails IT newbies as revenue rockets

New faces help VAR record nine-monthly revenue of £16m

VAR Millgate Computer Systems has credited a bumper nine months of trading in part to the performance of its new sales team of IT novices.

The Sheffield-based reseller's turnover for the nine months to 30 April hit £16m – up £2.8m on last year – and is on course to hit £22.8m for the full year.

Millgate recently assembled a team of qualified sales staff who had previously not sold IT equipment. Its total sales headcount has expanded from 25 to 29 year on year.

Manging director Chris Calvert said personality within the sales team has an increased importance for Millgate, and this is often as influential as relevant IT industry experience.

"It is always easier if we can recruit from competition, but some of the characters we are pulling in on sales are doing really well," he added.

Millgate's new smartphone and ad hoc repair service is projected to chip in £300,000 to the top line this year.

Calvert said added focus on the south east of England, as well as the public sector, had also proved profitable for the firm.

"We have done really well within the M25, which you might think is unusual as we are based up north," he said.