Virtual CTO Services · Ireland

Senior technology leadership, without the full-time cost.

We look after your IT strategy

IT Gurus gives growing Irish businesses an experienced CTO on demand. Clear IT strategy, solid infrastructure, real security, and someone in your corner when it comes to vendors, MSPs and AI.

25+Years in enterprise IT

HybridCloud & on-premises experts

IE & UKMulti-site experience

20–100+Staff businesses we serve

Why IT Gurus

Technology leadership built on real infrastructure experience

Most fractional CTOs come from software. We come from the server room, the data centre and the boardroom, so your strategy is grounded in how things actually run.

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Clear IT strategy

A practical roadmap tied to your business goals, with budgets and priorities your board can understand.

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Secure, resilient infrastructure

Security posture reviews, disaster recovery planning and architecture that holds up when it matters.

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Independent vendor advice

We check whether your MSP and suppliers are delivering what you pay for, and help you negotiate better deals.

How it works

Getting started is simple

Discovery call

A free, no-pressure conversation about where your business is and where you want IT to take it.

Assessment

We review your systems, suppliers, risks and spend, then agree the right level of support.

Ongoing leadership

Regular strategy sessions, hands-on help where needed, and clear monthly reporting.

Specialist services

Focused help, with or without a package

Take any of these on their own, or add them to a virtual CTO package.

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MSP Audit & Quality Review

An independent check on whether your IT provider is delivering what you pay for, with a clear gap analysis and advice on next steps.

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AI Readiness & Governance

Find out how AI is already being used across your business, then put the right policies, access controls and training in place.

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Startup Advisory

Lighter-touch guidance for early-stage businesses, so you choose the right technology, vendors and architecture from day one.

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AI Readiness & Governance

AI that works for your business, not against it

Your staff are probably already using AI tools, whether you've approved them or not. We help you take control: choose the right tools, roll them out safely, and keep your data where it belongs.

Microsoft 365 Copilot Copilot Studio ChatGPT Business

Proven in a real business

Microsoft 365 Copilot rollout across a multi-division group in Ireland and the UK, with spending policies and controlled user access so costs stay predictable.
Usage policies and allowances set up across Copilot and Copilot Studio, so the right people get the right level of access.
ChatGPT Business workspace set up with EU data residency, so teams can use it for tenders, including public sector bids, with GDPR in mind.

Discover

We map which AI tools are in use across the business, including unapproved "shadow AI", and review the risks to your data. You get a clear findings report.

from €800, one-off

Govern

An acceptable use policy, access tiers and permissions, and leadership sign-off, so everyone knows what's allowed and why.

from €300/month

Embed

Staff training, ongoing monitoring and quarterly reviews, so AI keeps delivering value as the tools change.

Included with Tier 2 & 3

Ready to get IT working for your business?

Book a free 30-minute discovery call and find out what a virtual CTO could do for you.

Services

Flexible CTO support that scales with you

Choose the level of leadership your business needs. Every engagement is tailored, so final pricing is agreed after a short call.

Virtual CTO packages

Designed for established businesses with 20 to 100+ staff.

Tier 1

Advisory & Foundation

from €2,200 /month

Regular strategy calls
Infrastructure and vendor reviews
IT roadmap and budget guidance
Email support between calls
Monthly strategic report

Infrastructure & Architecture

from €5,500 /month

Everything in Tier 1
Hands-on infrastructure and architecture work
Disaster recovery planning
Security posture reviews
Project oversight and delivery

Tier 3

Embedded Leadership

from €6,500 /month

Everything in Tier 2
Group-level IT leadership
IT budget ownership
Team mentoring and hiring support
Vendor negotiation and board reporting

All prices exclude VAT. Final pricing is agreed after a short discovery call.

Starting out?

Get the right technology decisions made from day one.

Startup

Early-Stage Advisory

from €500 /month, or a one-off roadmap session

Advisory hours on technology and architecture direction
Help choosing the right vendors and tech stack
A clear roadmap you can grow into

Add-on services

Available on their own or alongside any package.

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MSP Audit & Quality Review

Get in touch for a quote

An independent check on whether your managed service provider is delivering what you're paying for. We review contracts, SLAs and service quality, identify gaps, and guide your next buying decision.

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AI Readiness & Governance

Audit from €800 · Governance from €300/month

Discovery & audit: map how AI tools are used across the business, including shadow AI, and review data risks.
Policy & governance: acceptable use policies, access controls and leadership sign-off.
Ongoing: monitoring, staff training and quarterly reviews, included with Tier 2 and Tier 3.

Not sure which option fits?

Tell us about your business and we'll recommend the right level of support.

About

Hands-on experience, not just theory

IT Gurus is a Cork-based virtual CTO practice, founded by Kelvin Foulkes and built on over 25 years of IT experience across Ireland, the UK and Europe.

Why IT Gurus exists

Too many growing businesses are making big technology decisions without senior IT input. They rely on suppliers to tell them what they need, or stretch a busy manager to cover IT on top of their day job.

We set up IT Gurus to give those businesses the same level of leadership a large group would have, at a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire.

What makes us different

Most fractional CTOs come from a software or product background. Our roots are in infrastructure and systems architecture. We've built data centre services and complete server racks, designed clustered environments, and worked closely with Microsoft on Storage Spaces deployments. That means the advice you get is grounded in how your systems actually run.

We bring current, real-world experience to every client. Our founder leads IT for a multi-division group across Ireland and the UK, owning strategy, budgets, security and suppliers, and has rolled out modern tools including Microsoft 365 Copilot with proper governance in place.

How we work

Systems that just workReliable core systems come first. Issues are owned and resolved, and technology helps the business rather than getting in its way.

Outcomes over buzzwordsClarity, accountability and measurable results, not abstract "transformation" programmes.

Calm handling of riskPractical judgement that reduces risk, avoids unnecessary complexity and keeps services running.

Plain-English adviceEqually at home with the board, operations teams and engineers, translating business needs into pragmatic solutions.

Experience across sectors

Our founder's career spans government, broadcast, automotive, transport, retail and managed services, including work supporting the Department for Work & Pensions, HM Prison Service, Channel 4, ITV, Endemol UK and Elstree Studios, and multi-million pound installation projects across Europe.

GovernmentBroadcast & TVAutomotiveTransportRetailManaged services

Founder's career highlights

Group Head of IT & Infrastructure Multi-site, multi-brand group · Ireland & UK · 2025–present

Owns IT strategy, budget, security and supplier management across the whole group.
Accountable for networks and connectivity, cloud and on-premises platforms, cyber security, identity and access, core business systems and end-user services.
Led a Microsoft 365 Copilot rollout, with spending policies, usage allowances and controlled access across Copilot and Copilot Studio.
Set up a ChatGPT Business workspace with EU data residency to support tender writing, including public sector bids.
Modernised backup for an IBM business system with LaserVault, retiring physical tapes in favour of automated disk-based backup that is faster to restore.
Moved archive data to Azure File Shares on the cool tier, protected by Azure Backup with daily, weekly and monthly retention.
Designed and built SFTP services in Azure for EDI communications, integrated with on-premises file services.

Head of IT Multi-site motor group · Ireland · 2022–2025

Led a major modernisation, taking infrastructure from Windows Server 2003 all the way up to the latest Windows Server releases.
Moved the business to a hybrid cloud model, integrating on-premises systems with Microsoft Azure and Entra ID.
Introduced Azure Virtual Desktop, giving staff secure, consistent desktops from any site or device.
Owned IT strategy, budgets, policy and suppliers, and led the in-house IT team.

Technical Account Manager Managed service provider · Ireland · 2021–2022

Final point of escalation for major incidents across some of the largest managed service clients.
Ran service reviews and incident reporting, monitored SLAs, and helped simplify the service portfolio so clients knew exactly what to expect.

Senior Systems Architect / Senior Project Engineer Voice, data & IT solutions provider · Ireland · 2012–2021

Designed and built data centre services, from complete server racks upwards.
Implemented clustered environments on Microsoft Storage Spaces, working closely with Microsoft.
Architected secure, scalable systems for clients and led multiple projects at once, on time and on budget.

Earlier career Ireland & UK · 1999–2012

Ran an IT services company in London, supporting major broadcasters and film and TV studios.
Managed IT for TV production companies, including on-location support for prime-time productions.
Delivered network design, systems integration and security-focused installation projects across the UK and Europe.
Provided server and Exchange support for large UK government departments.

Our toolkit

Microsoft & cloud

Microsoft 365Windows ServerEntra IDIntuneAzureAzure Virtual DesktopFSLogixAzure BackupStorage Spaces

Security & networking

SonicWallFortinet FortiGateWatchGuard

Hardware & backup

HPDellIBMLaserVaultTape-free backupBackup & disaster recovery

AI & productivity

Copilot & Copilot StudioChatGPT BusinessClaudeFreshserviceCodeTwo

Let's talk about your business

A free, no-obligation conversation with our team is the best place to start.

Contact

Book your free discovery call

Tell us a little about your business and we'll be in touch within one working day.

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Email

hello@itgurus.ie

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Location

Cork, Ireland. Working with clients nationwide, on-site and remotely.

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Response time

We reply to every enquiry within one working day.