Chris Morrissey wins WA Pearcey award for tech leadership
Chris Morrissey, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ever Nimble, has been named the 2025 Western Australian Pearcey Entrepreneur of the Year in recognition of his work in the IT and security managed services sector.
The Pearcey Foundation announced that Morrissey received the award at the 34th annual WAITTA INCITE Awards, which is Western Australia's longest-running technology awards programme.
Award recognition
Established in Perth in 2018 by Morrissey, Ever Nimble has grown from a start-up to one of the largest managed IT and security services providers in Western Australia. The firm now employs almost 100 people, with operations in Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom.
Glenn Butcher, Chief Judge of the INCITE Awards, said:
"Chris is the epitome of a modern entrepreneur - bold, resilient, and purpose-driven. Starting with zero revenue in the world's most isolated capital, he took extraordinary risks to build one of Western Australia's most successful global MSPs, reshaping cyber security for small and medium businesses across multiple countries."
"As a visionary force in tech, Chris has not only defied the odds to lead industry transformation, but has also broken barriers in a male-dominated field - championing diversity, mentoring underrepresented talent, and creating an inclusive, values-driven culture that's redefining what leadership in IT looks like."
Entrepreneurial origins
Morrissey reflected on the business landscape in Western Australia and his journey since arriving in Perth 13 years ago. He highlighted the importance of early support from the business community, stating:
"Western Australia boasts a vibrant economy, but its true strength lies in its entrepreneurial spirit. Since arriving in Perth 13 years ago, I've been inspired by the sheer number of business owners, start-ups, and innovators who make this region truly unique. Ever Nimble's journey was shaped by the trust larger businesses placed in us as a start-up, and I urge others to take a chance on emerging entrepreneurs who consistently go above and beyond. That early support fuelled our drive to build a globally recognised IT and cybersecurity company, delivering cutting-edge technology to small and medium-sized businesses."
Morrissey also spoke about the personal aspects of his career and the significance of building a business based on values.
"Being an entrepreneur is by no means an easy path, but it's one I couldn't have walked without the unwavering support of my partner and family. Their encouragement empowered me to create a business grounded in values that make a difference, particularly in promoting diversity within the IT and cybersecurity sectors."
He described receiving the award as a key moment in his professional life:
"Receiving the Pearcey Foundation WA Entrepreneur of the Year is a career highlight, and it's an honour to be recognised amongst such distinguished past recipients. I'm excited to represent Western Australia on the national stage and to champion start-ups that have bootstrapped their way to success through hard work and dedication."
Career background and company growth
Morrissey's career began in retail in the United Kingdom, where he managed operations across 200 stores and interacted closely with IT departments. Identifying a disconnect between IT and broader business needs, he shifted his career path, studying computing at university as a mature-age student. After facing challenges entering the IT sector in the UK, he moved to Australia in 2011. He started in an entry-level IT support role and progressed to IT manager within five years.
In 2015, Morrissey joined mining consultancy CSA Global. Observing a gap for IT and cybersecurity services aimed at the small and medium business (SMB) sector, he founded Ever Nimble to meet the technology needs of CSA and its clients. Within three years, the company expanded to a staff of 35 and now employs almost 100, with offices in Perth, Melbourne, Queensland, Swansea in the UK, and Calgary in Canada, offering 24/7 support to clients in these locations.
Industry impact
Ever Nimble has garnered industry recognition, including being named the fastest-growing MSP by Channel Futures, the seventh-fastest-growing technology company in Australia by CRN, and the MSP of the Year award from Kaseya, as well as repeated listings in the MSP 501. The company has also been recognised for its workplace culture, receiving accolades such as being named a Great Place to Work and inclusion among Australia's Best Workplaces in Technology.
Morrissey has played a role in bringing advanced cybersecurity tools to smaller companies in Australia. Ever Nimble was the first to introduce CrowdStrike for companies with under 250 staff, provided a cost-effective automated penetration testing platform, and was an early leader in the SMB1001 cybersecurity certification tailored to SMBs.
National stage
With the Western Australian Pearcey Award, Morrissey will represent the state in the Pearcey National Awards later in the year.
