Softcat MD-to-be gets to work

Colin Brown joins the VAR from Microsoft's services organisation

Softcat's new deputy managing director Colin Brown started work this week.

Brown joins the VAR from Microsoft, where he spent four years at its UK services organisation, and previously worked at Computacenter for 20 years alongside current Softcat managing director Martin Hellawell.

Hellawell is set to take over from former chairman Peter Kelly who retired in July, at which point Brown is expected to step into the managing director role, following a three-month review.

Softcat recently broke the £300m revenue barrier, and Brown claimed the growth attracted him to the company.

He said: "Softcat is growing at an incredible pace, doubling both its headcount and turnover in just two years, and attributes that in large part to its focus on employee and customer satisfaction.

"I have had a fantastic time at Microsoft, but now I feel it is time for a new challenge."

Hellawell recently told ChannelWeb he still wants to be hands-on when he takes over the reins as chairman.

On Brown's appointment, he said: "We have never worked in the same area [at Computacenter], but I have always had tremendous respect for him and for what he has achieved.

"I think he will be great for us because he has bags of experience of managing growth organisations but does it with great humility and has excellent people skills."