Graham is the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Central Lancashire having previously been the Vice-Chancellor of Solent University, Southampton for five years. Prior to joining Solent, he worked at the University of Central Lancashire in a number of senior-management roles, culminating in the role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor. He also had a mid-career secondment into the nuclear industry where he worked as the National Skills Research Director for the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.
He is Deputy Chair of the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) and the Treasurer of Million Plus, the Association for Modern Universities. He previously chaired the Board of Kendal College and the boards of various charities and companies with a range of functions from a dental clinic to scientific consulting.
He has a First Degree in Sport Studies from the Madeley School of Physical Education, a Master’s Degree in Sports Science from Loughborough University and a Doctorate in Exercise Physiology from the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Wales, Bangor. He is a qualified teacher of Physical Education with a PGCE from the University of Wales.
He is an Honorary Professor at Hebei University and a Visiting Professor at the National Academy of Education Administration in Beijing. In 2014 Hebei Province, China conferred on him the title of ‘Outstanding Foreign Expert’.
A lifelong sports enthusiast, Graham played rugby until injury forced him to retire and turn to the gentler pursuit of cycling, which he still does today.