James Ormesher appointed new CEO as Canary IT eyes expansion

James Ormesher has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of Canary IT, succeeding co-founder Stephen Parsonage, who will move into the role of Executive Director to focus on mergers and acquisitions as well as strategic growth initiatives.

The Board of Canary IT announced that Ormesher's appointment takes effect immediately, representing what it described as a significant milestone in the company's ongoing evolution and future growth strategy.

Stephen Parsonage, who co-founded the company with Bill Henderson over 26 years ago, has served as CEO since its inception. His new role as Executive Director will see him leading the company's mergers and acquisitions, a key focus as Canary IT continues its expansion. Under Parsonage's leadership, the firm has executed multiple strategic acquisitions and has positioned itself as a platform for further growth.

Prior to joining Canary IT, Ormesher held senior leadership positions at Tesserent, Telstra Purple, and Virtual Machine Technology (VMtech). He is credited with driving team performance, sustainable business growth, and long-term customer advocacy, as well as scaling teams and navigating change in competitive technology markets.

Stephe Wilks, Chair of the Canary IT Board, welcomed Ormesher's appointment. "We are excited to welcome James into the CEO role at such a pivotal time in our journey," said Wilks. "James's deep industry expertise, people-first approach, and clear strategic vision make him the ideal leader to guide Canary IT through its next phase of growth."

Ormesher is known for his experience in business transformation, client success, and his capacity to deliver results during periods of change. His appointment signals Canary IT's intention to continue pairing industry knowledge with leadership that is forward-thinking. The Board has stated its confidence that Ormesher is well-placed to guide the company in building on a strong foundation and delivering long-term value for its clients.

Ormesher commented on his new role, saying, "I'm honoured to join Canary IT and build on the exceptional legacy created by Steve and Bill. This is a business with a strong reputation, a talented team, and a clear opportunity to accelerate growth. I'm excited to help lead the next chapter to deliver on that promise by strengthening our core, expanding our capabilities, and staying relentlessly focused on what matters most: delivering value for our clients and creating a great place for our people to do their best work."

During his time at VMtech, Ormesher was a founding member and contributed to developing the company into a customer-focused organisation that was ultimately acquired by Telstra in 2017. His expertise spans cybersecurity, cloud, and technology services, with a focus on scaling teams, commercial growth, and building long-term client relationships.

Stephen Parsonage reflected on his transition, stating, "After 26 years helping build Canary IT from the ground up, the time is right to hand the reins to a new leader. James brings the fresh energy and vision we need to continue scaling the business while I shift my focus to growth through acquisition and strategic opportunities. This is a natural next step, not just for me, but for the business. We've built something enduring, and now it's about accelerating that momentum in smart, strategic ways. I'm looking forward to shaping the next wave of growth, finding partners and opportunities that align with who we are and where we're going."

According to Canary IT, the leadership change has been carefully planned, with ongoing collaboration between company leaders to ensure a seamless transition for clients, staff, and partners. The Board stated it is confident that the new appointments will further strengthen the company's foundation for growth, innovation, and long-term success.

The leadership transition is taking place during a period of strong momentum for Canary IT, which has invested in new talent, technology, and expansion across Australia. Several acquisitions have already been completed in 2024, and more are reportedly in the pipeline as the company seeks to strengthen its position within the market.