The Board of Softcat plc outlined a series of steps it intends to take to ensure continued, effective leadership of the company and orderly succession over the medium term. Whilst none of these steps take effect until 2023, the Board is sharing details of its plans in order to provide full transparency to shareholders. Also effective 1 August 2023, Graeme Watt will succeed Martin Hellawell as Non-Executive Chair.

At the time of succession, Graeme will have been CEO of the business for over five years. This move has been carefully considered by the Board, which acknowledges that the appointment of the CEO into the role of the Chair is not in line with the recommendations of the UK Corporate Governance Code. However, 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 its stakeholders.

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 appropriateness and readiness of the candidates as well as alternatives. With effect from 1 August 2023, Martin Hellawell, currently Non-Executive Chair of the Company will step down from his position and from the Softcat Board.