ON THE MOVE
Softcat announces forthcoming leadership changes
appropriateness and readiness of the candidates as well as alternatives. “Softcat is a very special business with a distinct culture which puts people at the heart of everything we do,” said Karen Slatford, chair of the nomination committee and senior independent director. “As we have been working on succession planning, we have been very focused on ensuring that we protect and develop that culture and continue to be committed to the simple, proven growth strategy which has served us so well. Graeme and Graham are the best people to lead the company and we all look forward to working with them when they assume their new roles in August 2023. We will miss Martin when he steps down as chair but are confident that he leaves us with strong foundations for continued future success.” Graeme added: “Graham has an intimate knowledge of Softcat, which he has built up over eight years and I am confident he will continue to drive the business forward. I relish the opportunity to remain on the board as chair and believe we have established a very clear and successful governance model in this respect. That said, these changes are a year away. I will remain fully engaged and committed in my position as CEO and continue to drive the business hard for the next 12 months. On behalf of the board and the company I would like to pay tribute to Martin Hellawell for his outstanding contribution to Softcat over many years.”
Softcat plc, a provider of IT infrastructure technology and services, has outlined a series of steps it intends to take to ensure continued, effective leadership of the company and orderly succession over the medium term. On 1 August, 2023, Graham Charlton will become CEO of Softcat. This follows eight years as CFO during which time Graham has developed a deep understanding of the business and what makes it successful. The board of Softcat say they believe Graham is the right person to lead the business successfully through the next stage of its growth. A search for a CFO to succeed Graham has commenced and will consider external as well as internal candidates. Also effective from 1 August 2023, Graeme Watt will succeed Martin Hellawell as non-executive chair. At the time of succession, Graeme will have been Softcat’s CEO for more than five years. The board was unanimous that Graeme’s deep knowledge of the business, Softcat’s culture and its markets made him the ideal candidate to support the interests of all our stakeholders. Martin will then step down from the Softcat board. Softcat say that Graham and Graeme’s appointments have been considered as part of the board’s succession planning process. External expertise from a leading independent executive and board search firm has also been used to consider the
Graham Charlton
softcat.com
Mick Harrison joins XBM as service director
XBM Ltd has announced that Mick Harrison has joined the company as service director. Mick, who was previously service director at Xerox’s Arena Group, joins XBM at a time when the company is looking to expand rapidly through developing new business and making acquisitions – it bought iDoc Services in September.
He said he was “delighted” to have joined XBM and is “really looking forward to working with the leadership team on their next chapter.” Mick has a long history in the sector, his career having begun in the copier industry back in 1986, where her served an apprenticeship at a Bradford-based reprographics company, ultimately becoming a field service technician there in the late 1980s. “Three decades on and having worked my way up the proverbial ladder, I’ve experienced and managed all aspects of service delivery, and whilst l look back at my technical days in the field with great fondness, it’s my current role that excites me the most,” he says. “Delivering outstanding customer service is close to my heart and creating an efficient and healthy working environment, whilst ensuring the team are happy and have the correct tools and resources to do their jobs, is what drives me. Get the basics right and the ability to adopt a customer centric/trusted advisor mentality – will become second nature.”
Mick Harrison
xbmltd.com
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