Chief Executive Officer, Softcat
Search every verified Graham Charlton interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. Graham Charlton, then CFO of Softcat and set to become its fourth CEO later in 2023, discussed his background and the company's approach in a podcast appearance. He stated that he initially studied biochemistry at Cambridge and considered a career in teaching before becoming an accountant, which he described as a "brilliant choice" that played to his strengths. Charlton said he joined Softcat because of its culture and the opportunity to take the company public while preserving that culture, noting that he and then-CEO Martin Hellawell told investors during the IPO roadshow: "if you don't like it don't invest because we're not going to change it." Charlton described his leadership philosophy as facilitating employees to serve customers and build trust, adding that "my job is to facilitate that and not get too much in the way of it." He said Softcat's growth has been organic and driven by customer needs, leading to expansion into overseas markets such as the U.S., the Netherlands, and the Far East. Charlton noted that the company has never made an acquisition but considers it a possibility for faster growth in new regions.
“Within Softcat we're very confident about the future of our industry and the future of the company... trying to balance that confidence that we have with empathy for customers in a different situation.”
“You'll never get the answer from a spreadsheet. It's kind of one input and the point is that the world's too complicated to put into a spreadsheet... it's the thoughts that are in people's heads and bringing that together that will find you the right way forward.”
“if it goes really really well but if it goes badly it can only be my fault because my job this leadership team's job at softcat is to let all of those great people with all of their great attitude get in front of customers talk to vendors do what's right for for the people who buy from us build trust and loyalty with t...”
“we were very clear look here's how we operate and here's why it works and if you don't like it don't invest because we're not going to change it we know what we're doing we know we've got loads of Runway we know that the magic comes from customer service which comes from the culture and the enthusiasm of our people”
In the first episode of this new season of Channel Chat Marc is joined in the studio by the current CFO of Softcat Graham Charlton.
In the first episode of this new season of Channel Chat Marc is joined in the studio by the current CFO of Softcat Graham Charlton. Graham is set to become only the 4th CEO in Softcat's history later in 2023.
In the first episode of this new season of Channel Chat Marc is joined in the studio by the current CFO of Softcat Graham Charlton. Graham is set to become only the 4th CEO in Softcat's history later in 2023.
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