One out, 44 in: Softcat founder retires as new recruits begin
Peter Kelly will step down next Wednesday, while 44 new junior recruits started this week
VAR Softcat is "in no rush" to find a replacement for its chairman Peter Kelly (pictured), after he announced his retirment following a 20-year stint in the hotseat since founding the company in 1993.
The news comes as the firm hired 44 new starters as part of its graduate recruitment scheme, bringing the number of staff at the company to 432.
Kelly, who will finish his day-to-day duties at the company next Wednesday, is not selling his shares, and will still remain part of Softcat.
David Ridgway, sales director at the VAR, said the operational running of the firm will not change.
He said: "Martin Hellawell is still here running the company, so we are in good hands moving forward with our aggressive growth plans.
"The challenge for us now is to keep Peter's spirit and energy at Softcat to keep his legacy going."
Kelly, who is the reigning CRN Personality of the Year, was honoured by his staff with a fancy dress day (pictured) yesterday, and will attend a leaving party with over 600 guests next week.
While the top spot remains open, 44 junior sales and technical staff began their time at the VAR this week.
The new recruits will join the reseller across its sites in London, Manchester and the company's headquarters in Marlow, where they are currently undergoing a three week initial training period together.
The VAR employs graduates on a regular basis, with the current uptake being larger to coincide with the summer graduation period.
Following the one-year training scheme, which begins with a business development learning period, graduates are encouraged to continue working at the company, with some 80 per cent of its current staff recruited through the scheme.
Human resources and recruitment manager Shelley Ferringo, said: "We invest so much in training our graduates, we do not want to lose them after one year; we are all about development and supporting our staff."