Press Release

On 17 February 2026, Virtual IT Group announced the appointment of Maurice McCarthy as CEO in Sydney, New South Wales, to lead Managed IT and Cybersecurity growth across Australia and New Zealand, resulting in enhanced client outcomes and strengthened service reliability.

Read the full press release > here.

What	Scope	When	Where	Result
CEO appointment	Leadership transition to Maurice McCarthy	17 February 2026	Australia & New Zealand	Strengthens executive capability across ANZ
Founding Director role	Christian Pacheco transitions	17 February 2026	Australia & New Zealand	Supports vision, innovation and M&A strategy
Client service uplift	24/7 SOC + AI-driven support	2026 and ongoing	ANZ region	Proactive security threat monitoring and breach response speed
Sector coverage expansion	Healthcare, finance, legal and education, regulated sectors	2026	Australia	Deepens fit‑for‑sector managed IT and cybersecurity service delivery
Technology roadmap	Responsible AI and cloud transformation	Ongoing	ANZ	Enhances modern workplace and security maturity

Leadership Transition to Accelerate ANZ Growth 

Maurice brings extensive experience in customer‑centric transformation, operational scale, and digital innovation, core capabilities that align to Virtual IT Group’s future direction.   

With more than 20 years across technology, telecommunications, and customer experience, Maurice has built his career on deeply understanding customer needs and delivering high‑performing service models. In his most recent role as Managing Director of Customer Success at Optus, he led a large‑scale digital and AI‑first transformation while delivering significant customer advocacy gains.   

Prior to that, Maurice served as CEO and Regional CEO of Digicel Group across Papua New Guinea and the South Pacific, overseeing operations across five nations and delivering consistent growth in challenging and dynamic markets.   

His leadership philosophy places clients and people at the centre, as demonstrated in his first remarks as CEO: 

Maurice McCarthy, CEO at Virtual IT Group said, “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.”

Founding Director Supporting Innovation and Strategy

Founder Christian Pacheco transitions into the role of Founding Director, continuing to shape the organisation’s long‑term vision, M&A strategy, and service innovation roadmap. This evolution ensures strategic continuity while creating space for renewed leadership momentum. With eight offices across NSW, SA, VIC and QLD in Australia, as well as Auckland, Wellington and Hamilton in New Zealand, Virtual IT Group delivers local accountability backed by the scale and strength of regional resources, supporting more than 1,300 clients across ANZ.

Christian Pancheco, Founding Director at Virtual IT Group, said, “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.“

He added that Maurice’s leadership qualities set him apart: 

“Maurice stood out as a leader with the right combination of client empathy, operational discipline, and modern technology insight.”

Enhanced Capabilities in Managed IT and Cybersecurity 

Virtual IT Group delivers fit-for-sector, security‑first managed services, cloud transformation, and modern workplace solutions. With a 24/7 ANZ Security Operations Centre (SOC) and AI‑driven ticketing to accelerate resolution, the team supports organisations navigating escalating cyber threats and operational demands. These capabilities ensure clients remain secure, compliant, and resilient.

Under Maurice’s leadership, Virtual IT Group will further prioritise: 

• Enhanced client experience and service reliability 

• Scalable, security‑first managed services 

• Responsible and impactful AI integration 

• Continued investment in people and capability 

Maurice sees people as the foundation of Virtual IT Group’s future: 

McCarthy said, “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.”

How Clients Benefit From the New CEO Appointment

The appointment of Maurice McCarthy reinforces Virtual IT Group’s commitment to being a trusted, long‑term partner for organisations navigating fast‑evolving cybersecurity, regulatory, and AI landscapes. It also signals a strengthened focus on talent, culture, and sustainable operational excellence within the managed services sector. With a clear direction and an experienced CEO at the helm, Virtual IT Group is poised to deliver even greater value, security, and innovation for clients across ANZ.  

FAQ Section   

What does the CEO appointment mean for Virtual IT Group clients?

The CEO appointment strengthens Managed IT and Cybersecurity service reliability across ANZ, delivering faster response times, improved support consistency, and enhanced client experience.

Why did Virtual IT Group appoint Maurice McCarthy as CEO?

Maurice McCarthy was appointed for his proven client‑focused leadership, operational scale experience, and track record in driving growth across Managed IT and Cybersecurity services.

What role will Christian Pacheco now hold at Virtual IT Group?

Christian Pacheco transitions to the role of Founding Director, where he will continue shaping the organisation’s vision, M&A strategy, and service innovation roadmap.

How will Virtual IT Group evolve under new leadership?

Services will expand through AI‑driven ticket resolution, 24/7 ANZ‑based SOC monitoring, advanced cybersecurity capabilities, and ongoing cloud transformation initiatives.

Which regions does Virtual IT Group support?

Virtual IT Group supports mid‑market organisations across ANZ with offices in NSW, VIC, QLD and SA in Australia, and Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington in New Zealand.

What industries benefit most from these leadership changes?

All industries benefit from strengthened capability, but highly regulated sectors such as Healthcare, finance, legal and education benefit from sector specific capabilities.