I grew up in Antrim, Northern Ireland and am very proud of the positive influence of my parents who both served within the emergency services (Blue lights). They both did a job that they loved and saw reward in doing. Following in their footsteps I have spent most of his working career in either the Blue Lights or military service.

Having joined the Territorial Army when I left school at the age of 18, as a young Royal Engineer ‘Sapper’, I was able to learn new skills and find exciting challenges, which were a welcome distraction to my studies at Queen’s University Belfast.

Having gained a Territorial Army commission as an undergraduate I spent most of my time as a postgraduate at University of Ulster trying to work out whether to enter the commercial world or follow my passion. Opting for the latter I joined the regular Army and completed the yearlong officer commissioning course at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 1996. Often pinching myself with the people I encountered along the way, the varied roles that were entrusted on me to do, or the many varied situations and locations I found yourself in, there was never a minute’s regret in following my passion and joining the Army.

After 12 exciting years in the Army, and many ‘airmiles later’ it was time to move on to a new career in policing for the next chapter. Joining the Police Service of Northern Ireland in 2007 led to another 10 years of exciting service in what is one of the most rewarding careers. Every ‘shift’ was different and brought its own challenges, whether it was helping people at their most vulnerable and in need of help or just trying to make a safer place to live. There was always a feeling that you were really making a difference – best 10 years!

Both the Army and the Police were great learning environments, for starting my own business – the next chapter. Leaving the police in 2018 I took an idea with a friend and started Cherton Secure to provide professional services to organisations seeking to manage and mitigate risk. One thing I have learnt in my short term in business is it’s not easy but there are great people out there who are only too willing to help and guide you. Every day is a challenge, and every day there will be knock backs, but it is a case of picking yourself up, dusting yourself down and getting on with it. Over the last few years we have built a company which now has customers globally who use the skills and knowledge of service leavers to solve their problems.

It is great to look back over the last 30 years, but it is more exciting to think about the new challenges and with CTS how I can help make a difference to those still serving or transitioning out of service.

Graham now lives in Belfast and is married to Emma, and they have 3 children.