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Richard Graham

  • Lecturer
  • Institute of Business, Industry and Leadership
  • Business
Profile picture for Richard Graham

Biography

Richard Graham is a Chartered Project Professional with over two decades of multidisciplinary experience in programme and project management, leadership, and strategic transformation. With a background in both the public and private sectors, including defence, government, education, manufacturing, and charitable initiatives, he has consistently delivered complex projects and driven organisational change. He is the Founder and Managing Director of the Centre for Leadership Insight Think Tank and currently serves as a Senior Project Manager at defence manufacturer.

Richard is pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) at the University of Cumbria, focusing on leadership effectiveness in both teams and individuals. His leadership philosophy is grounded in pragmatic innovation, continuous improvement, and stakeholder-centred delivery, drawing from theory and professional practice. 

Qualifications and memberships

Academic Qualifications

  • Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) – University of Cumbria (In progress)
  • BSc (Hons) in Project Management
  • FdSc Project Management 

Professional Qualifications

  • APM Project Professional Chartership (ChPP) 
  • APM Project Management Qualification
  • Ministry of Defence Contract Management Qualification
  • Command, Leadership and Management (CLM) ICSC (L)
  • Institute of Leadership & Management Qualification
  • Edexcel Level 3 Conflict Management
  • NCFE PTLLS (Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Sector)
  • Varying Engineering qualifications

Memberships

  • Fellow, Association for Project Management (FAPM)
  • Member, Institute of Leadership & Management (MIoL)

Academic and research interests

Richard’s academic and research focus resides at the crossroads of leadership, project execution, and organisational effectiveness. Presently, his doctoral research investigates “Leading Individuals and Teams: Comprehensive Considerations for Effective Leadership.” He pays special attention to leadership within complex settings, stakeholder involvement, performance management, and the transfer of knowledge in high-pressure programmes. His interests also encompass systems thinking applied to project management, earned value management, and strategies for continual improvement in the defence and infrastructure fields.