Virtual IT Group names Maurice McCarthy as chief executive

Virtual IT Group has appointed Maurice McCarthy as Chief Executive Officer as it enters its next stage of expansion across Australia and New Zealand.

Founder Christian Pacheco will move into the role of Founding Director, where he will continue to shape the company's long-term direction and focus on service innovation and merger and acquisition activity.

Virtual IT Group works with mid-sized organisations in regulated sectors, including healthcare, financial services and education. It provides IT, cloud and modern workplace services, and runs a 24/7 Australia and New Zealand Security Operations Centre with an "always-on" service model.

Leadership change

Pacheco said the appointment followed an assessment of client requirements as technology and security demands evolve, citing cyber risk, regulation and the growing use of artificial intelligence in operational environments.

"Maurice's appointment followed a comprehensive leadership assessment focused on the evolving needs of clients operating in increasingly complex cyber, regulatory, and AI-enabled environments," Pacheco said.

"Maurice stood out as a leader with the right combination of client empathy, operational discipline, and modern technology insight. Our clients face mounting pressure from cyber threats, compliance obligations, and rapid AI adoption. Maurice has a deep understanding of the dynamics our clients are faced with on a daily basis, and a clear vision for leadership," he said.

McCarthy has led technology and services organisations through periods of growth and operational change, including scaling operations, according to Virtual IT Group. The company did not disclose his previous roles or whether he was appointed internally or externally.

Service priorities

Virtual IT Group outlined early priorities for the new chief executive, including a focus on client outcomes and service reliability. It also plans to embed AI across service delivery, describing the approach as responsible.

The company said its service delivery includes AI-driven ticket resolution alongside its help desk and Security Operations Centre. It did not specify the tools used, how widely they are deployed across clients, or what proportion of tickets are handled through automation.

The appointment comes as managed service providers face rising expectations from customers in regulated industries, who often need evidence of security controls and structured processes. They are also seeking faster service and more predictable performance as businesses expand their use of cloud services and digital workplace tools.

"Operational and technology leaders are being asked to move faster with AI while meeting unprecedented cyber and compliance demands. Virtual IT Group combines a 24/7 ANZ SOC, AI-driven ticket resolution, and a friendly, expert help desk for one reason, to give our clients peace of mind so they can focus on their mission. None of this happens without our people, from Level 1 engineers to our most experienced consultants. Together, we'll build on this foundation and lead Virtual IT Group into its next chapter," McCarthy said.

Virtual IT Group also framed the leadership change as part of its commitment to long-term client relationships, and pointed to careers and staff development in managed services and cybersecurity.

Pacheco will remain active in setting direction and supporting service innovation and acquisitions in his new role as Founding Director.