The evolution of Softcat: from its origins to IT infrastructure and services

Softcat was founded in the United Kingdom in 1993 by Peter Kelly under the name Software Catalogue.

How Softcat developed

The company began by selling software and PCs to small and medium-sized businesses, changed its name to Softcat in 2000 and expanded into licensing, infrastructure, cloud and security services. It listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2015.

Softcat in 2026

By 2026, Softcat was a major UK IT reseller and services provider, helping organisations buy, deploy and manage technology from a wide range of vendors.

Its history shows the continuing value of specialist intermediaries even as software and infrastructure move online: customers still need help choosing, licensing, integrating and supporting increasingly complex technology estates.

Information was checked against public company material, regulatory filings and reputable independent reporting where available, using sources accessible on 18 September 2026.